Latest junior park rangers to join the team

A group of almost one hundred local children are the latest to become Junior Park Rangers at Bicclescombe Park.

Yesterday (Tuesday 12 July) the Year 4 pupils from Ilfracombe Junior School were presented with certificates for completing the six-week rangers course at Ilfracombe's award winning park.

Each year North Devon Council runs a programme of environmental games and activities one day a week throughout the summer term. The scheme is designed to raise children's awareness about the importance of parks and how and why we should look after them.

Activities included beast hunts, litter management and recycling, pond dipping, bird and butterfly identification and map reading.

Executive Member for Culture, Councillor Derrick Spear, says: "Bicclescombe Park has wonderful nostalgic memories for me as I spent many happy hours there with my sister and friends as a young boy. Therefore I'm fully behind this worthwhile scheme that teaches young people about the importance of parks and wildlife in a fun and creative way. Junior Park Rangers is now in its sixth year and is always a very popular event in Bicclescombe Park's calendar."

Local ward member, Councillor Geoff Fowler, presented the group with achievement certificates yesterday. He says: "The presentation was a wonderful occasion and it was a real pleasure to be part of. It was lovely to see so many youngsters enthusiastic about the park and pleased with their achievement, I really enjoyed being part of the celebration."

For more information about summer events at North Devon Council's parks pick up a copy of  the Summer Supersport+ programme at any council office, or download it online.