Middleton Scouts stay at Low Way Farm bunk barn

Tees-Swale blog by Chloe Hedley, Community Engagement Trainee

A group of Middleton scouts and cubs, along with scout leaders Joe, Katy and Emily, met Caron Henderson, Community Engagement Officer, and Chloe Hedley, Community Engagement trainee, with the North Pennines AONB Partnership, at Low Way Farm in Holwick on 12 August 2023.

This first residential in Teesdale was enabled by funding through a Farming and Protected Landscapes grant and we have really enjoyed working alongside farmer, Karen Scott. Karen, as well as having two camping barn, runs the farmhouse kitchen situated at Low Way Farm, a catering business as well as a holiday cottage. The farm has been in her family for generations and it’s lovely to hear her stories of playing in the hay barn, which was later renovated into the large camping barn.

The group of fifteen children and three scout leaders met us at the entrance to Low Way Farm before walking down to the camping barn, where everyone dropped their kit off and got prepared for the wet weather. We made introductions and discussed our plan for the day.

First, was a walk from Low Way Farm along the Pennine Way to Scoberry Bridge with the young people playing ‘River Tees Bingo’ along the way spotting Ash trees, conifers and more. When we arrived at the bridge, we stopped to hunt for fossils and, as the rain had eased and the sun was peeking out, it was a great stop for lunch. Some of the children decided to play ‘Pooh sticks’ from the bridge and others hunted for grasshoppers.

It was then time to go den building at Bowlees Visitor Centre. The young people split into two groups and chose spots which provided the best shelter amongst the trees. They built the dens using foraged bracken and fallen branches, walking to the visitor centre for a well-deserved hot chocolate afterwards.

“Best den building ever” – Joe, scout leader

We then walked to Low Force to make mini rafts using wool, foraged sticks, and other found items. The children bundled five sticks together and it was great to see all the variations, especially in decoration. We launched the rafts back at Scoberry bridge and raced down the track to see which one was first.

Back at the barn, the group had pasta for tea and played board games and football. After that, Caron introduced them to the wonderful world of bats with games and a bat walk. We were lucky to see and hear lots of bats using bat detectors. The tired cubs then left, leaving the Scouts to spend the night at the barn. On Sunday morning breakfast and football was enjoyed until it was time to depart.

‘”Who knew that bats could be so good?” – Philip, scout

Delivered as part of the Tees-Swale: Naturally Connected programme. Tees-Swale is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and led by the North Pennines AONB Partnership in collaboration with the Yorkshire Dales National Park.