Original article at That’s Regional
Children supported by the Big Norfolk Holiday Fun programme co-ordinated by Active Norfolk, took part in a range of participatory workshops with Natural Wonder, a poetry collection inspiring connection to the natural world led by writer Ruthie Collins.
The poetry collection, which includes commissions from Norfolk County Council and RSPB has a twist – encouraging people to take part in action to care for the wild and enjoy the natural world, with magical trails and walks, too
Children have been visiting fairy doors on Cary’s Meadow since 2021, after Thorpe resident Shazia Mirza Baig thought of the idea to raise spirits for families coming out of the pandemic. The doors were then created as a public commission by Norwich Men’s Shed and have been supported by a range of institutions, from Broads Authority, to Norfolk County Council, visited by children on the Big Norfolk Holiday Fun programme as part of Natural Wonder since April 2023. This festive season children had a magical time meeting a Fairy Queen on Cary’s Meadow, too, as well as a hulahooping fairy, from Fool Hardy Circus.
Lord Walpole also visited Cary’s Meadow and the River Garden pub to show support to the programme.
Each workshop was inspired by different poems in the collection and themes, connected to the biodiversity that you might find in Norfolk and locally in Thorpe St Andrew, including the bats that roost at Cary’s Meadow.
Older children aged 12-13 were awarded Natural Wonder Nature Guide certificates for researching and leading talks to the younger children at Cary’s Meadow – on birds, bats and plant-life such as ivy, to help inspire care for biodiversity in the community.
Younger children aged 4-11 enjoyed a range of artistic activities, from decorating copies of the Natural Wonder poems to take home, to making bird seed pouches to help feed the winter birds.
Children made seed balls using locally collected seeds donated by Natural Wonder team member, Shelley Luke – a teaching assistant at Hillside Avenue School.
Children also made glitter fairy decorations and created mini fairy gardens out of upcycled glass ramekins, plus lanterns to take home as gifts.
All families received food boxes thanks to Norfolk County Council’s Active Norfolk and hand-wrapped gifts given by the Natural Wonder team.
“These sessions are a magical opportunity for children who need a lift, to make friends, get active outdoors and enjoy the magic of nature,” said Ruthie, who lives in Thorpe. “They really gain in confidence through taking part in the activities, we tailor everything we do to be inclusive and support those with SEN, too.”
She added: ‘Everyone at Active Norfolk works so hard to ensure children who need that help over the holidays get the support they need and I’ve been blown away by the generosity of our Natural Wonder team as well. Taking part in Big Norfolk Holiday Fun has helped a whole range of children, including those who have complex needs, feel good and thrive. The chance to meet owls that you might find in Norfolk was absolutely amazing – we went for a walk with a barn owl, Jonny, plus Ethel, a little owl, and Arthur, a beautiful tawny owl, led by social enterprise Hoot With Me.
“They are such magical creatures and it was fantastic for all the children to meet them so up close. They also loved taking part in an owl pellet dissection activity with a resource pack from Norfolk-based Phoenix Birds of Prey Sanctuary.”
ENCHANTED WOOD: The children and adults at the Fairy Door during the New Year visit to Cary’s Meadow. Photos: MEGAN EVANS/TABITHA HORNAGOLD.