Senior Neighbourhood Warden Andy High and Mayor of Barrow, Cllr Dorothy Dawes, with the Junior Wardens at their awards presentation
A GROUP of local youngsters have been awarded for taking care of a green space in their neighbourhood.
The Central and Hindpool Junior Wardens were presented with their discovery level John Muir Award after learning about conservation and protecting wildlife in the Green Heart Den community garden on Marsh Street.
The John Muir Trust is the UK’s leading wild land conservation charity.
It looks after wild places and campaigns against threats from inappropriate development.
The idea of the John Muir Award is to encourage people to give something back to their surroundings.
The Junior Wardens took part in activities based on the following themes: Discover, Explore, Conserve and Share Experience to qualify for their award.
The children held a litter pick at the garden, planted new flowers and completed a quiz about the award.
They have also been finding out about the bats, slow worms and other wildlife living in the Green Heart Den as well as making a display full of pictures to let members of the public know about their work.
Senior Neighbourhood Warden for Central and Hindpool, Andy High, organised the activities.
He said: “The children were so excited to get their awards.
“It was such a pleasure to work with them – no matter what we asked them to do, whether it was litter picking or digging in the soil to plant seeds, they did the work with a smile on their faces.
“At the moment we are submitting a request so the Junior Wardens can complete their level two John Muir Award.”
Graham Watson, John Muir Award regional manager for Cumbria said: "It’s a brilliant opportunity for these young people, to be able to connect with nature on their doorstep.
“They get outside, enjoy and learn in a hands on, real way.
“On top of that, the garden is right there amongst the houses for the whole community to see how young people are helping to enhance their environment, not just for themselves but for everyone.
“We are so pleased that the John Muir Award has been able to help them at the Green Heart Den, and that we can recognise and celebrate the role these young people have played.
“John Muir himself would have been proud to see them taking responsibility for our natural green spaces."
The children received their award certificates at a special ceremony at St James School in Barrow on Tuesday March 23.
Barrow police Inspector Geoff Steele was at the event and told the children: “You inspire me.
“We at the police think the work you’re doing is tremendous.
“We think the Junior Warden scheme is a great project and we hope you carry on and go from strength to strength – thank you, you are wonderful.”
