Over 70 local people recently attended an event at the Horstead Centre, funded by Broadland District Council’s Pride in Place grant.
The free event, run by the Horstead Centre in partnership with Horstead with Stanninghall Parish Council and the Broads Authority, was the first of four planned community activity days to encourage local people to come together and have a greater appreciation for the natural environment.
The Horstead Centre’s Manager, Will Mills, said: “Around 4,000 children visit the Centre each year from all over Norfolk and beyond, but many local people have never been inside or seen our beautiful grounds. This event was a great opportunity to share some of our skills and expertise, while inspiring a passion for the natural world.”
There were lots of activities for people of all ages to enjoy during the event which focussed on ‘Creatures & Habitats’. Children had fun with the mini beast tank, badge making and building bat boxes with The Broads Authority. A native species orienteering trail and canoe sessions on the Bure encouraged people to get active, while discovering more about the district’s wildlife. Visitors also got involved with seasonal arts and crafts, learned to bake bannock bread over an open fire, identified tree species in the Parish Churchyard, and joined in a treasure hunt in the Church itself.
Chair of Horstead with Stanninghall Parish Council, Caroline Flemming, said: “There are relatively few affordable, organised opportunities for socialising and recreation for the local community, and almost none that are free and specifically designed to bring people together in celebration of community and of the unique beauty of the area in which we live. These predominantly outdoor events celebrate our natural and social history and focus on education, conservation, wellbeing, and recreation. “Our aim is to increase local people’s knowledge of and affection for their local natural environments and community, which will encourage them to protect and engage more with these environments and with each other, independently of these events.”
The next event will be held on 11 April, visit the Parish Council’s website for more information.
The Council’s Pride in Place Grant is funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and provides funding for town and parish councils and voluntary and charitable organisations to enhance the local community.
Broadland District Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, Cllr Natasha Harpley, said: “We are keen to support projects that foster a sense of local pride and belonging and build resilient, healthy and safe neighbourhoods that people want to live and work in. If you have a project that needs funding, contact us to find out more.”
For more information, please visit www.southnorfolkandbroadland.
