Trailblazing a love of wildlife

An interactive natural trail has opened in Sconce and Devon Park, Newark, aimed at helping children discover more about wildlife.

It has been paid for by Newark and Sherwood Homes, which awarded £1,000 to the Friends of Sconce and Devon Park as part of its community fund.

The money was used to install interactive nature boards with wildlife information.

Children can also do rubbings of creatures.

The trail opening marked the start of a partnership between Newark and Sherwood Homes and Newark and Sherwood District Council on the Cleaner Safer And Greener campaign.

The chief executive of Newark and Sherwood Homes, which manages the district council housing stock, Rebecca Rance, said the trail would make a huge difference for visitors, whether they were there as part of an education trip or for leisure.

"This is a great occasion to mark our partnership with the district council in maintaining the district as a clean, safe and green environment that promotes well-being, happiness and productivity," she said.

The leader of the council, Mr David Lloyd, said the trail would add to activities that families could enjoy in the park.

"We are especially keen to promote and improve our parks and open spaces as part of the campaign," he said.

The chairman of the park friends group, Mr Paul Reed, said they were grateful for the funding, which meant they could create the trail.

"It will enable younger members of the community to enjoy the outdoors while learning about wildlife and nature," he said.

"We regularly have visits from school groups, so the nature trail will add huge benefit to their education and experience."