Putting little ones in touch with nature
PATRICIA MCGLYNN, LANCASHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST
GROWING up in Hulme in the 1970s I had a great childhood.
I lived in a high-rise flat with my mum, dad and big brother and even though we didn’t have a garden we were outside all the time.
I walked to my local primary school and enjoyed playing and running around the field at the back which is now built on as part of Manchester University.
At the time it was very marsh-like and boggy.
In the summer, like most children in my neighbourhood, me and my brother would play outside for hours on end.
We’d only come home for money for sweets or a bag of chips!
I would be amazed and intrigued by the minibeasts, frogs, worms and butterflies all around me on this field.
We would run and play in our bare feet, only putting our shoes back on if they were too muddy or pricked by the thistles.
On sunny days we would proudly bring home our natural bouquets, made from whatever we could forage.
We once tried to bring home a swan too but, thankfully, we couldn’t catch it.
That area was always fun to run around, especially after heavy rainfall.
My mum, in fairness, never complained when I arrived home stinky and covered in mud.
These experiences shaped my love of the outdoors and all things wild and now, working for the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, I get to share this love with people of all ages.
This year, thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, I’ve even been able to work with little ones and their parents in Manchester, setting up a Nature Tots group in Boggart Hole Clough in Blackley.
Nature Tots is our is our fun-filled and educational outdoor play programme dedicated to helping pre-schoolers get in touch with wildlife and the great outdoors.
We meet every Monday morning at 10am at the Lakeside Café in the centre of the park to register.
We then stroll down to the outdoor seating area with our parachute cover up for shelter if we need it.
Over the past few months we have enjoyed real good old-fashioned fun activities like I did as a child, such as environmental art, campfire cooking, mud kitchen bakes, squirrel spotting, minibeast discovery, storytelling and home-made crafts to take home.
Each Nature Tot’s session encourages each child’s communication skills especially when the mud kitchen is open.
They learn to work as part of a team and share the utensils provided.
The outdoor woodland games provide physical development, especially rolling down the hill.
They tune in to their artistic creative side - with a little help from an adult.
It’s a privilege to see all the children and adults share a wonderful time outdoors bonding and making new friends come rain or shine.
At the end of the session, lots of the families often visit the park’s Lakeside Café for a spot of lunch and a good natter.
So why not kit yourself out in suitable clothing and wellies (no need to dress to impress) and spend time outdoors with us?
We guarantee you will all leave with a smile and treasured memories.
For more information about Nature Tots in Boggart Hole Clough, contact Patricia McGlynn at pmcglynn@lancswt.org. uk or visit www.lancswt. org.uk/nature-tots