in the stocks at Eyam

On arrival at Losehill Hall one of our leaders for the week, Joe Bawden, gave a presentation about the National Park.

Tuesday found us learning the Secrets of FAR and trying to become Guardians of the Future. We travelled back 360 million years in the Valley of Change, experienced life as lichen, mosses or grasses on the Unclimbable Cliff, and learnt how long it takes to make soil in Mother Nature’s Kitchen.  The evening was too wet to venture into the grounds so we played two games: Bats and Moths and Pollution.

Wednesday morning began with stream dipping - discovering the way creatures are adapted to life in the water.

stream dipping

Girls caught what they could from the stream and then tried to identify the finds using simple microscopes and keys.

what have we found?

To understand inter-relationships they then built an intricate web linking sun, soil, water and either woodland or water creatures. By introducing a pollutant they could see how delicate the balance in a pond environment can be.

After lunch we walked to Riding House Farm. Here we were shown where some of our food comes from and the active role the farmer plays in looking after the landscape of the Peak National Park. The girls counted the variety of plants in a quadrant and helped with a soil analysis.

In the evening we tried our hand at orienteering and at building Pennilow Hill with bread.

fossil hunting in Berresford Dale

We spent Thursday in Berresford Dale, where we became explorers in a limestone dale with the aid of clue bags.

In the evening we walked up to the Broken Road in the shadows of Mam Tor, to see at first hand the instability of shale.

Friday was our final day. We were given a guided tour of Treak Cliff Cavern and after a short visit to the Tourist Information Centre we returned to Kingsley.

The week was enjoyed by all and arrangements are well under way for next year’s field trip.
C Hoare

Click here for more photos: http://www.kingsleygallery.co.uk/index_files/losehill.htm