More than a hundred people visited the centre on Saturday, March 15, to get some hands-on experience in hurdle making, willow weaving, felt-making and even Ray Mears style bushcraft activities!

Many people had a go at creating their own willow sculpture or felt design, or even learnt how to light a fire the traditional way, with no matches! There was also the opportunity to visit Skelton Grange's eco-friendly sustainable building, and explore the Centre's wildlife gardens.

The event was run by the Friends of Skelton Grange as part of a project supported by BBC Breathing Places, which has involved planting over 700 trees this winter to create some new woodland spaces at the centre.

"The event has been a great success," said group chairman, Paul Fieldhouse, "It was great to be able to link the tree planting work we have done at the centre to the woodland crafts like hurdle making which use the natural materials the trees will produce."

Skelton Grange Environment Centre is an innovative environmental education project in South Leeds, which is a partnership between BTCV and National Grid with support from Leeds City Council.

It offers a range of fun, hands-on environmental education activities for schoolchildren which aim to encourage an interest in the natural world.

* More information about the Centre can be found at: www.skeltongrange.org.uk, or call (0113) 2430815.