HUNDREDS of children enjoyed a fun-filled forest adventure at Ghyll Royd School at the end of last month.

The Burley Bushcraft event was part of the annual Burley Summer Festival and this year Ghyll Royd took part in the village’s scarecrow festival and hosted the one-day bushcraft event for three to 11 year olds.

Members of the School’s PTA had organised the event which included an hour-long forest school workshop and activities including rock decorating, face painting and bird feeder making. There were also Yorkshire Dales ice creams and a cake stall

Specialists Vicky Wood and Mark Parry ran the bushcraft sessions which included making bread twizzle sticks to cook over the campfire and recycled water purifiers. The activities were hands-on and a lot of fun, giving children a glimpse into the Forest School curriculum at Ghyll Royd and the type of activities involved in Mark and Vicky’s Young Pioneers after school club.

The Bushcraft event raised £301.75 which will go towards Ghyll Royd School’s fundraising.

Anna Bedford Collins, chair of the PTA, said: “Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time for the event. Through baking cakes, marshalling and welcoming families to the school, you helped make the event a great success.”

David Martin, Headteacher, added: “This is the second event of our newly formed PTA and it was a brilliant success. Our families are passionate, dedicated and big supporters of our school. Thank you for your hard work. Vicky and Mark’s love of the outdoors is something we share and we are extremely grateful for their help at the event. The money raised will go towards our theatre seating and new kiln which will enhance the creative arts curriculum for our children as well as the opportunities for art and theatre space in the local community.”

Vicky and Mark run the Young Pioneers after school club, a bushcraft for local primary school children. The next block of sessions start on Thursday, September 12 4.30pm to 6.30pm at Ghyll Royd School. Contact theyoungpioneers@hotmail.com.