A new nature trail and a famous children’s novel will be used to inspire youngsters on a housing estate to write enchanting stories about their environment.
The plan was revealed to Lesley Griffiths, the Welsh Government’s Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty, during a visit to the revitalised Parc Peulwys estate in Llysfaen.
Ms Griffiths heard about the transformation of the estate managed by housing association Cartrefi Conwy and the work being doing to encourage children to become environmentally friendly.
Among the activities being planned is the Poppy Tales when children will be writing stories about the flowers blooming along the nature trail.
The idea is based on the book Poppy; Tales from the Dimwood Forest about the adventures of a harvest mouse.
The trail is one of the final parts of a massive environmental improvement programme at Parc Peulwys.
Last year the pupils from Ysgol Tan y Marian and Ysgol Penmaenrhos helped plant more than 10,400 early flowering bulbs around the estate to add a big splash of colour to the area.
Tenant Tracey Rosean, 45, told the Minister how she started an environmental group called Heart Of to engage young people living on the estate to get them involved with green issues.
She said: “We took part in the Big Butterfly Count in July and August helping Butterfly Conservation survey the number and diversity of butterfly species in the area.
“We are in the process of planning a host of activities that will go right through the year such as Poppy Tales which is all about using flowers and the environment to tell stories.
“By using the estate’s nature trail we can show children and young people the huge amount of wildlife and different wild plants and flowers that share the estate and how we can all help to look after them. We also want to use local resources for arts and craft sessions such as making leaf prints or making bird nesting boxes.
“There is no doubt what Cartrefi Conwy and the community have done has improved the estate for everyone. There is now far less anti-social behaviour, there’s a better sense of community and the whole estate is much more child friendly.”
Lesley Griffiths AM said: “I greatly enjoyed my visit to the Parc Peulwys Estate where I saw first-hand the work being undertaken by Cartrefi Conwy and local community groups to improve the area and make the estate a better place to live.
“It was a pleasure to meet with local community groups who have a great deal of pride in the area and are taking ownership of the place they call home.”
Cartrefi Conwy Chief Executive Andrew Bowden added: “I think it’s important to show Ministers what we have achieved through our programme of environmental improvements as well as the wonderful voluntary work of groups such as Heart Of.”
Iwan Davies, the Chief Executive of Conwy County Borough Council, said: “There can be little doubt the environmental changes to Parc Peulwys, many of which were designed by the community itself, are making a big difference to the lives of tenants.
“The estate looks greener and a more pleasant place to live and it’s the tenants themselves who are reaping the benefits of all the hard work that has been done.”
Cllr Phil Edwards, Conwy County Borough Council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “The Parc Peulwys estate has been transformed into an area everyone can be proud of.”
