Northwich children learn willow weaving during forest school

Pupils spent a week learning willow weaving - making fences and sculptures with the supple branches - to add a creative twist to their forest school activities.

Sarah Gallagher-Hayes, from Chester-based Twigtwisters, spent time delivering the engaging workshops after Cheshire West and Chester councillors Gillian Edwards, Charles Fifield and Paul Williams directed £500 from their members’ budgets to help cover the cost.

Cllrs Gillian Edwards and Charles Fifield with Sarah Gallagher-Hayes

Cllr Edwards, who represents the Weaver & Cuddington Ward like her two colleagues, said: "We’re always pleased to support projects in our community, particularly something that gets children outside and learning life skills and a traditional rural craft.

"It is also nice to see something that leaves a legacy."

Cllr Fifield added: "It is unusual for local authorities to have members’ budgets so we feel very privileged to have some control over where it is spent in our constituency.

"Projects like this don’t take a lot of funding but they do make a big difference."

Children enjoyed learning about willow weaving at Weaverham Academy

Sarah Gallagher-Hayes exhibits her work at Chelsea flower show, RHS Hampton Court, Tatton Park, Blenheim Palace and Chatsworth House, to name a few.

Head of School Jo Price said: "All the children have had a lot of fun working on this project with Sarah.

"We’re so lucky to have such a large outdoor area and it’s even more special that the children get to create their own forest school.

"The funding is really helping us along the way to making our forest school area exceptional, so I’d like to say a big 'thank you' to our local councillors."

The amazing end result in the school grounds

Weaverham Primary Academy is one of 10 schools across Cheshire and Shropshire managed by North West Academies Trust.