Moreton Hall woodland seating area in Bury St Edmunds is restored thanks to Woodland Ways wildlife group and team effort

A project that has been 'a big team effort' has seen an outdoor classroom restored for the benefit of schoolchildren and the wider community.

The log seating area in Pond Covert, next to Sebert Wood Community Primary School on Moreton Hall, Bury St Edmunds, was in need of some attention following vandalism and the rotting of the logs.

Woodland Ways, which manages the West Suffolk Council-owned wood, co-ordinated the removal of the old logs and replacement with new log seating.

Nick Sibbett, chair of Woodland Ways, said: "In 2003 we had the original log seating put in which was great and the school and the Brownies and the public used it, but it became very derelict and vandalised and the logs rotted so the exciting thing that's happened now is we have replaced the log circle and it's been a big team effort."

Woodland Ways arranged for contractors to do the work, West Suffolk Council’s tree team made logs available after safety works in the wood and Ingham-based Urban Forestry restored the seating and contributed specialist skills such as bolting the logs into the ground.

And West Suffolk Councillor Birgitte Mager contributed £600 towards the project.

Mr Sibbett added: "The log seating is so important to the school, other user groups and the public that we wanted to restore it back into use."

Sebert Wood Primary uses the woodland seating area for storytelling with the younger children and as part of lessons - such as geography - for older pupils.

Jamie Winch, acting deputy head at the school, said: “Particularly since the pandemic it’s so important for children to get outside and enjoy nature and we know that the outdoor environment is important for mental health."

He added: "This year in particular our school is really focusing on mental health so this will be of real benefit to us."

Mrs Mager, who provided funding through her councillor locality budget, thought the project was 'an ideal way to spend taxpayers' money'.

The old logs are being used in the wood for habitat.

For more information about Woodland Ways visit www.woodlandways.org.uk or email information@woodlandways.org.uk