Northumberland schoolchildren go wild for geese project

Oct 25 2010 The Journal

CHILDREN on the Northumberland coast are to learn more about the wild geese that visit their communities.

An initiative that involves a study of geese through music and art is being led by the United Reformed Church in the county.

The church is working with school children in the area, a local ornithologist, a wildlife artist, a retired music teacher and a Northumbrian folk musician.

The project launched with children from local schools receiving a presentation from ornithologist Graham Bell and visiting the wildlife hide at Fenham le Moor on the Northumberland coast to observe the Brent geese which have migrated there.

After their visit and study of the geese, they will be working on a musical and choral composition, led by retired music teacher and composer Martin Fisher, who lives at Crookham.

Wildlife artist John Steele, who lives at Rothbury, will be producing an oil painting featuring the Brent Geese of Holy Island, which will go on show at local churches, schools and other public locations at the end of the project.

Renowned Northumbrian folk musician and composer Alistair Anderson will also be composing a piece of music based on the study of wild geese. Belford-based Rev Dave Herbert is championing the whole project.

He said: We are so privileged to have these geese in our area and I see this project as a way of strengthening connections between the churches and wider community of our area while developing some artistic outcomes which can be enjoyed long after the project has finished.

Schools involved in the project are Seahouses First, Belford St Marys Church of England Middle, Belford First, Hugh Joicey Church of England Aided First at Ford and Wooler First.

Belford Middle School teacher Linda Lindley said: This will be a very rich educational experience for the children. It is going to help them to appreciate the wild geese and their place in our historical, natural and religious heritage.