Let's Learn Moor hits the
10,000 mark
Curtis Mossop
Let’s Learn Moor returns for 2023 this week, bringing with it a significant milestone in its history. Curtis Mossop explains.
Humble beginnings
Let’s Learn Moor has grown from humble beginnings. Back in 2017 we started with 300 children, working in collaboration with North Yorkshire Moors Moorland Organisation (NYMMO). From there, it has grown to become the largest upland education project in the UK, now extending across northern England at eight different locations.
The first two days of Let’s Learn Moor 2023 saw us surpass 10,000 as the number of children that have participated in the project. This is a huge milestone that couldn’t have been reached without the collective effort of Countryside Learning and the moorland groups: North Pennines, North Yorkshire Moors, Nidderdale, Yorkshire Dales, Calderdale, Forest of Bowland and Peak District, all of whom make this fabulous event happen.
Kicking off the week this year were Nidderdale and NYMMO. As is not unlikely up on the moors, rain beating down on the marquees was a defining feature. The drumming sound of rain on canvas was no match for the audible excitement of hundreds of children arriving however…
What makes Let’s Learn Moor special is its ability to provide opportunity to those who simply would not have it otherwise; children who have genuinely never seen a sheep before – something we take for granted – were awestruck by their unfenced existence on their arrival. The seemingly never-ending minefield of sheep poo was also of particular hilarity to them.
From sheep to sundews
At the heart of these days is the wealth of knowledge, experience and passion from those in charge of the activities – the very people who live and work on the moors which the children are immersed in.
At Nidderdale, the local farmer was explaining how the sheep are hefted to the moor. He also spoke of the parasitic relationship of the tick and a gave wider message about supporting local producers and buying British.
The adjacent activity was hosted by the gamekeepers who eloquently explained the vibrant biodiversity found on these areas, featuring a personal favourite of mine, the carnivorous round-leaved sundew plant.
The highlights reel
The ever popular Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association provided an opportunity for the children to burn some unspent energy accumulated on the bus by locating a ‘missing’ walker. The sacrificial lamb on this occasion was a parent helper, who was quickly nominated by her daughter’s teachers. While the children had the opportunity to explore the kit they would be using during the session, the parent was hidden amongst the swathes of soft rush behind them and had miraculously gained a ‘broken leg’.
Having been given their instructions, and with zero trepidation, the children shot off in search of her and secured the scene quickly. With some ensuing giggling, falling over and fumbling, the children were eventually able to bundle the parent onto the extraction sled with an effective leg splint applied and make the return journey, albeit with some added weight to tow.
Chanting “heave, heave, heave” the children showed some excellent team work whilst they dragged the sled back to Fell 1, Upper Wharfdale’s support vehicle.
Contextualisation
Incorporating soft skills, such as effective communication and team work, is exactly what Lets Learn Moor does so well. This is while also conveying serious messages such as how to enjoy the moors safely – thanks to the input of the fell rescue team – and bringing in aspects which align with their lessons in the classroom, such as Yorkshire Water helping the children to calculate the percentage water retention of sphagnum moss. It supports meaningful learning in a very real context.
The schools are coming to enjoy themselves and have a day out of the classroom, but they are also coming to learn about something we are all very passionate about.
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