Learning and creativity have been the order of the day for the Landscape Stories project over the winter months!  From glaciers to dry stone walls and skeletons to steel toe capped boots – pupils in the Forest of Pendle have been delving into the past with the help of some expert guidance.

During summer 2009, Pendle Forest History Group was awarded a £5000 Grassroots grant towards the delivery of a local schools' heritage project to complement their own work as part of the Forest of Bowland AONB's HLF programme.

Since November, North Yorkshire-based Kevin Cale, of Community Archaeology Ltd has been delivering a series of workshops to local primary schools, which have seen children dress up in hard hats and lab coats, brave the wintry weather to check out the history on their doorstep, travel to Bradford University to piece together "skeletons" and peek inside laboratories and take part in a mini classroom dig!  We're now looking forward to running similar sessions with the schools in Slaidburn and Dunsop Bridge after half-term – this time focusing on lime kilns!

Over in Chipping, both primary schools have now had a "taste" of the Landscape Stories cheese project.   St. Mary's enjoyed a very entertaining demonstration by Bob Kitching of Leagram Organic Dairy where several of the children had a truly hands-on experience of cheese making.  Just along the road, Year 3 & 4 pupils at Brabins Endowed recently completed a whole week of cheese-themed activities – from felt making and poetry to cooking and tasting.

Families have also had the opportunity to get involved and get creative through a series of arts-based events around the AONB.  Willow weaving, recycled papermaking, textiles and ceramics have all been enjoyed, whilst new funding from Lancashire County Council's Arts Development Service will support an exciting Landscape Stories Arts Roadshow between April and December this year.  Look out for an event near you!

For more information contact Sandra Silk on 01200 448000 or email sandra [dot] silk [at] lancashire [dot] gov [dot] uk