SCHOOLS from around Barrow have been helping with an art project based on flowers.

Hannah Brackston, Art Gene’s Allotment Soup Project Artist, has created a Digital Wildflower ID Booklet which will help inform people about the importance of our local and coastal wildflowers.

Hannah worked with three Barrow schools and volunteers at the Isle of Walney Community Growing Space to develop the digital publication.

Pupils from North Walney Primary School, St James C of E Junior School and St Columba’s Catholic Primary School all participated in day long workshops.

The pupils spent the morning on the Isle of Walney Community Growing Space, discovering different wildflower species which can be found on the site, exploring folklore and poetry inspired by wildflowers, making prints and learning to identify different plants including the rare, indigenous Walney Geranium.

Melony Goulding, teacher at St. James C of E Junior School, said: “I thought it was really well organised and I think the children learned so much.

“It was a great opportunity for them to get out and they were quite struck by the flowers that only grew on Walney.

“They got quite a good science lesson from it and we had lots of fun.

“Our students don’t always get the opportunity to get out and about and this was something different.

“Great to have different types of media, and it is nice that all their drawings were included in the poster as well.”

Back at school the pupils created detailed drawings and watercolour paintings depicting different wildflowers.

Their drawings have been turned into a botanical style poster, and each child will receive a copy of their work to keep.

Alongside the children’s artwork are drawings and photographs of over 40 wildflowers found on the Community Growing Space, including some unusual facts, traditional or medicinal uses for the plants and the origins of its colloquial name.

This project is part of Art Gene’s ‘Re-wilding Barrow’, with the aim of promoting the importance of our local wildlife, and educating the community about how to care for coastal species.