Lilliesleaf pupils get Tweed Forum visit

Recently the youngsters and their school played host to a visit by the Tweed Forum, as part of a project pupils in primaries five, six and seven have been doing on how possible it would be to create an eco-tourism outdoor adventure centre with the Alewater catchment.

The Forum’s Emily Iles worked with youngsters and staff and showed, with the use of large models, how rain water washes off hills and how, if it is allowed to do this too quickly, can contribute to local flooding problems.

“That’s something the children are very aware of this winter,” said class teacher, Kyra Tweddle. “She [Emily] ran some experiments on her models with us, showing us how sustainable land management can help slow down the water run-off,” said Kyra.

“The children took part in some lively discussions about planting hedges, ploughing fields horizontally on the hillside, and making river courses meander to prevent too much water reaching the rivers too quickly.”

Primary Five’s Jocelyn told us: “We have learned not to use concrete in our activity centre because it does not soak up water.”

Max, from Primary Six, said: “I really liked the models and how they showed how water acts after it has fallen as rain.”

And fellow Primary Six pupil, Trin, added: “It was exciting seeing all the water running down the model and touching it.”