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An outdoors classroom promoted by the Northern Ireland Forest School Association (NIFSA) will be piloted early next year.

Activities at Bashfordsland Wood will be delivered through a ‘Forest Bud’ programme which involves a range of outdoor learning provision.

This will include den building and arts and crafts using natural materials.

A 'Forest School' is to be created in Carrickfergus.

Sessions will take place twice weekly – one for toddlers and another on Saturday mornings for primary school children during a one-year pilot.

‘Forest Buds’ will also be holding two free family events on the site. It is hoped that more people will become involved in the use of the woodland.

NIFSA has worked directly with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council since 2016 providing outdoor education opportunities.

Three schools are selected to become ‘Forest Schools’ each year and a ‘Forest School Hub’ is being established in the People’s Park, Ballymena.

Meanwhile, consultation by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has taken place for a new playground at Legg Park in Carrickfergus and in Ballygally. Work is expected to be completed by March 2021.

In a survey for Legg Park, 70 per cent of respondents were in favour of traditional swings and 68 per cent favoured a basket style. Other popular options included a sunken trampoline, an inclusive roundabout and sensory play.

There was support for a ‘Peter Pan’ theme with 12 per cent seeking a Peter Pan statue.

For Ballygally, a pirate/maritime theme was most popular with equipment such as traditional and basket swings and sunken trampoline favoured.

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter.

Click here to read: Carrickfergus woodlands receive makeover funding

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‘Forest School’ pilot project at Carrickfergus woodland