Bexhill High youngsters celebrate nature trail project

A presentation ceremony was held to mark the end of a year's work by Bexhill High School students to open up the Ninfield nature trail.

Ten Year 11 youngsters took part in the scheme headed by project leader John Bailey of the British Trust of Conservation Volunteers (BCTV) and supervised by their own teacher Sarah-Jane Bigby.

They have now received their certificates marking their achievements in working in woodland and creating an area protecting wildlife which will be of benefit to children and adults in the area - the nature trail is open to the public and is just off Potmans Lane.

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The group were Jamie Stretton, Daniel Miller, Jonathan Paulin, Jamie Goodwin, Andrew Partridge, Bradleigh Law, Jack Paso, Marcus Coda, Daniel Oakley and Peter Lavender.

John Bailey also made two further awards - one to Jamie Goodwin as Best Woodsman, and the other for Dan Miller who was Hardest Working Volunteer.

Following the presentation was an announcement by Mike Cook of BTCV that funding had been made available to continue the Veolia sponsored project for another year.

Sarah-Jane Bigby commented: "It is quite sad that it's all over, but it is brilliant we can do some more work with another group of children next year. It has been fantastic for the students and they have had an amazing time up here.

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"It has given them some memories they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

"It is a positive project that they have enjoyed to the point of giving up their school holidays, and they came in during halfterm rather than hang about the streets with their friends. They came up here instead as volunteers. It has taught them they have to follow rules and guidelines and they have to work as a team...they have been using a two and a half ton winch and an industrial shredder, and without following instructions to the letter they would not have been able to do that.

"It has developed wonderful partnerships and friendships between them that will go on even after they have left school."

John Bailey was in charge of showing the youngsters how to tackle different tasks in the wood and how best to protect this natural environment. The group created a hide for observing birds and animals in their habitat, and made a pond as well as planting trees and plants, and clearing the nature trail of debris.

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He said: "The biggest thing they have got out of this project is work experience and accreditation, and that will transfer into employment. It is that stepping stone needed from the transition of school to full-time employment. I am very proud of the work they have put in. They all worked safely and responsibly in carrying out conservation work."

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