A popular woodland facility on the outskirts of a north-east town has been awarded more than £4,000 to fund new activities.
Buchan meadows in Peterhead is used to introduce local community groups and the wider public to outdoor skills such as shelter building and habitat management.
Local development trust Peterhead Projects, which oversees the scheme, says that the facility has attracted “hundreds” of youngsters who have taken part in activities in the 43-acres woodland.
It has now been handed a grant of £4,180 from Santander’s Discovery Foundation to fund transport for young people to and from the facility and new events.
Among the activities the woodland team will now be able to provide are geo-caching and outdoor cooking.
Peterhead Projects development manager Ken Duncan last night hailed the cash for the project, which is reliant on fundraising and grants for its operation.
“Funding support such as this from the Discovery Foundation makes a real difference to the lives of local youngsters and without it we would not be able to offer new and exciting things for the community to enjoy,” he said.
The aim of the Discovery Foundation is to help people have the confidence to make the most of their future.
It provides grants of up to £5,000 to support knowledge, skills and innovation to give disadvantaged people the confidence to discover and create a new world of opportunities.
Woodland officer Lewis Swales added: “We would encourage the local community to come and get involved in the woodland to help us prepare for all the exciting new initiatives ahead.
“It is great fun getting stuck in and you might even get a cup of tea from the campfire for your efforts.”
Peterhead Projects was recently successful in receiving £20,000 from the People’s Postcode Lottery to further enhance the biodiversity of the site.
