UNIQUE musical soundscapes by Scouts and Guides from Stretton and Leamington have been showcased at the unveiling of a structure they built at a nature reserve.
Sounds of Stretton by 1st Stretton-on-Dunsmore Scouts and Sounds of Lillington by 3rd Leamington Guides were heard for the first time when the Nature Beats Sonic Signatures geodesic dome was shown off to the public at Brandon Marsh Nature Centre.
The Scouts and Guides made the dome from locally sourced hazel, covered it in cloth and decorated it.
It was as part of the Dunsmore Living Landscape Scheme and Wild Earth’s Nature Beats Sonic Signatures programme, a Coventry and Warwickshire based project to work with youngsters to create music that represents the identity of their local area.
1st Stretton-on-Dunsmore Scouts perform Sounds of Stretton.
Dunsmore Living Landscape wildlife engagement officer Daniel Loveard said: “The young people practised the traditional woodland technique of coppicing. It was fantastic to see them get actively involved in the process of managing the trees at Wappenbury Wood and harvest the material to make the geodesic dome structure.
“The young people took a lot from taking part in the whole process and have not only positively connected with nature and supported our woodland management but discovered and learnt valuable outdoor skills to improve their confidence and awareness of the environment around them.”
Guide Leader Michelle Brodie said the 3rd Leamington Guides were lucky to be involved in the project.
She said: “It has given the girls the opportunity to try lots of new exciting activities, from using musical recording and sound mixing equipment to coppicing hazel trees and building a Geodome.
“We have all had lots of fun and learnt some really cool new skills.”
Wild Earth youth worker Matt Cox said the project was important because people had lost many of the connections they once had to woodlands in the UK.
He said: “It’s easy to forget that woodlands are Britain’s most complex expression of natural diversity. The smells, the textures, the colours and the sounds are a treasure that we no longer get to experience very often.
“This project has been a playful exploration of the local natural landscape in all of its sensory form and we hope that the final installation will spark curiosity and enjoyment for all those who get to interact with it.”
