PUPILS at a Kidderminster school are enjoying a new and improved forest school area with a restored boardwalk bridge over its pond, built by volunteers from the Wyre Forest.

The project between Birchen Coppice Academy in Kidderminster and the Wyre Community Land Trust (WCLT) started with the dismantling of the 10-year old bridge in summer 2018, with the new boardwalk being completed in Spring this year.

Some of the posts from the original bridge, which had been submerged in the pond, meaning the area could not be be used, were in good condition and have been recycled in the new boardwalk.

The transformed area has already attracted such wildlife as a pair of nut hatches, a woodpecker and a slow worm.

The boardwalk was launched on Wednesday 8 May with the WCLT volunteers joining teachers and pupils from Birchen Coppice Academy. CORE students from Baxter College, who had helped to improve the area with wood chippings and installing bird boxes also joined the celebration event.

WCLT are a social enterprise based in the Wyre Forest. It exists to make the Wyre Forest better through nurturing its farmland and woodland. Through its own woodyard and sawmill, it aims to build a sustainable future for the forest, offering great value local products and making the forest more viable for more people to earn a living.

The school project with Birchen Coppice was led by Alice Midmore, Craftsperson in residence at the WCLT, and is part of the educational opportunities the Trust provides, including school visits to its woodyard on St Georges Farm in the Wyre Forest, Bewdley.

Charlotte Jeynes, Farm Manager and Community Liaison from Birchen Coppice Academy said: “We are overwhelmed by our new boardwalk. It has transformed this outdoor space and will bring huge benefit to our pupils. The children already adore it, and have enjoyed spotting the new wildlife that have been attracted to the pond. This wouldn’t have been possible without the staff and volunteers from the Wyre Land Community Trust who gave up their time to help us achieve our vision”.

Head Teacher, Louise Waller added: “We are very lucky to have this outdoor space and are grateful to our friends at the WCLT for their help and hard work. The children are getting so much from the boardwalk and pond area, the smiles are etched on their faces when they use it”.

Kate Quinton, Volunteer and Community Development Officer, WCLT said: “This project shows what working in partnership with local stakeholders can achieve, myself and the small team of volunteers involved found this such a rewarding project.

“Returning to the school today and seeing how much the area is being used by students makes all the digging and clearing worthwhile”.