PLANS have been unveiled to transform Matchborough Pond into a much-needed park or nature reserve for the local community.
The proposals and what will feature there has been inspired by a recent camping trip organised by Bound Together CIC which took 10 families – mostly from Matchborough but some from Winyates and Church Hill – to experience the great outdoors.
Lauren and Georgia enjoying orienteering. Picture by Charley McCormack from Inmotion Photography. s
Alison Osborne, director of Bound Together CIC, said: “I’m very much an advocate of getting out into nature – my children have effectively grown up on a farm which really grounded them.
“Most of the children on the trip had never had that opportunity.
Kian loves photography so was given the opportunity to use the photographers spare camera and shadow her.. Picture by Charley McCormack from Inmotion Photography. s
“They all had such an enjoyable time – we saw a really different side to them – it was magical to watch.
“The trip transformed them – there were no disagreements or conflict – they were playing, bonding and supporting each other.
“They had a real sense of freedom they had not had before.”
Orlah playing drums Picture by Charley McCormack from Inmotion Photography. s
Alison added, as well as the quality time, she wanted the families to bring back some inspiration and recreate what they enjoyed at Matchborough Pond.
The plan now is for the group to sit down and discuss what the future of Matchborough Pond – in its new guise as a nature reserve or park – should look like.
“Redditch is so rural but not so much in Matchborough where there is a real disconnect with nature – we want to change all that with this project.”
Tia and her stick. This stick came home with her and is now proudly carried around.. Picture by Charley McCormack from Inmotion Photography. s
Bound Together CIC received a £3,000 Worcestershire County Council Connecting Communities grant – some of that was spent on taking the families away on the trip and bringing back ideas for the Pond.
The group is now busy organising activities and hopes to offer orienteering which was one of the camping elements the children really enjoyed.
Pictures by Charley McCormack from Inmotion Photography. s
Any people or businesses who can help out can email Alison at: [email protected] or contact the group by searching for ‘Bound Together CIC’ on Facebook.
