Grouse season opens with bright prospects
Grouse shooting gets under way today, and BASC members heading out on the moor have cause for optimism after two difficult seasons.
Let’s Learn Moor marks ten years with BASC Patron The Princess Royal
BASC’s Patron Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal joined 167 pupils from five Lancashire primary schools to mark the tenth anniversary of Let’s Learn Moor.
The Let’s Learn Moor celebratory event was held at Grosvenor’s Abbeystead Estate, which is a long-term supporter of the annual countryside education event, on Friday 2 October.
The Forest of Bowland Moorland Group hosted the day, welcoming The Princess Royal to meet children from Devonshire Primary Academy, Blackpool; St Mary’s Primary School, Claughton; Cawthorne’s Endowed Primary School, Abbeystead; Dolphinholme Primary School; and St Francis’ Catholic Primary School, Goosnargh.
Her Royal Highness spoke to the children about their experiences at Let’s Learn Moor and met the organisations whose support has helped the programme grow.
Pupils moved between sessions run by the following activity partners:
- Lancashire Constabulary – rural crime awareness
- Wyre Rivers Trust – aquatic surveys
- L&A Dent Game Dealers – game meat tasters
- Grosvenor’s Abbeystead Estate – nature recovery, climate resilience and rural communities
- Field & Fell Environmental – moorland restoration
- Forest of Bowland Moorland Group gamekeepers – gundog demonstration
Let’s Learn Moor is a collaborative educational project which is overseen by BASC and funded by BASC’s Legacy Fund. Events are facilitated by the Regional Moorland Groups and private estates across northern England, with the support of more than 50 other partners. The initiative allows schoolchildren, many of whom live in urban areas, to learn first-hand about conservation, biodiversity and rural jobs.
Curtis Mossop, BASC’s head of training and education and Let’s Learn Moor coordinator, said: “Celebrating the tenth anniversary of Let’s Learn Moor is a hugely significant milestone for everyone involved. What began as a relatively small initiative has grown into the UK’s largest upland education programme, giving more than 16,000 young people the opportunity to experience our moorlands and understand the people and communities who care for these landscapes, as well as the wildlife that calls them home.
“It is particularly special to be marking this important anniversary with Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, whose attendance recognises the significance of the work being delivered and the importance of connecting young people with our countryside. I would like to thank Grosvenor’s Abbeystead Estate, the Forest of Bowland Moorland Group and Countryside Learning, for without them, none of this would have been possible.
“For many pupils, these experiences provide their first opportunity to explore an upland landscape, meet the people who work within it and gain a better understanding of the importance of moorland and its management. Let’s Learn Moor is a tremendous team effort, and everyone involved should be immensely proud of the part they have played.”
Over the past ten years, Let’s Learn Moor has shown the real value of giving young people the opportunity to experience the countryside first-hand. Find out more about the project here.
All images copyright BASC.
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