Haiku, tree planting and learning about the canal...all in a day’s walk
Children from three Falkirk primary schools are doing more than improving their health and fitness as they take part in the Feet First walking programme.
As part of a series of guided waterway walks developed by The Waterways Trust Scotland and funded by Scottish Natural Heritage and Action Outdoors, 80 children from Maddiston Primary School, Bothkennar Primary School and Antonine Primary School are learning about the ancient form of poetry, Haiku. Haiku is strongly associated with capturing the essence of a moment in nature in the present tense and poems have a set number of lines and only seventeen syllables. The children also took part in a special tree planting day at The Falkirk Wheel, where they buried their Haiku poems, wishes and dreams beneath the trees that they were planting. Alan Forrester, programme leader, explained: “Through this programme of walks we are showing children that it isn’t difficult to take part in some form of physical exercise, you don’t need lots of money or time. To make the walks more interesting, the children are learning about the heritage of the Forth & Clyde canal and the wildlife that they can see. They have used this knowledge to write their own Haiku poems. “This year, the children are also using special activities on the walks to count towards their John Muir Award.” As part of the ‘Conserve’ element of the John Muir Award, 51 children from the Bothkennar and Maddiston schools have be planted hawthorn hedges to screen an unsightly bin area at The Falkirk Wheel. As well as enhancing the natural environment, the hedge will provide shelter and food for birds, insects and other small animals. It will have scented white flowers in May and red berries, which the birds love, in the autumn. Alan continued: “Walking is a great form of exercise, whether it is a leisurely stroll or brisk walk. Scotland’s canal network offers the perfect location to get walking and we hope that by introducing children to walking at an early stage they will discover what an accessible and easy activity it is to keep up.” Neville Makan, SNH Falkirk Area Officer said: “We are delighted to be able to support the Feet First walking programme. Feet First is a great way to encourage children to enjoy the outdoors near where they live. They may not have known what a wonderful green corridor they have in their backyard. Hopefully they will come back, bringing their parents out for a walk.” For further information on Feet First contact Alan Forrester on 07768 951 740 or email info@feetfirstedinburgh.com
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