Helmsdale pupils’ Forsinard Flows artwork and poetry display at village railway station
The winners of a school art and poetry competition focusing on the Flow Country have been announced.
Pupils at Helmsdale Primary School were asked to create artwork and poetry following a visit to RSPB Scotland Forsinard Flows Nature Reserve on June 21 last year.
The pupils were taking part in celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of the opening of the northernmost section of the line from Helmsdale to Thurso and Wick.
The school provided a musical welcome and poem for the gathering, and the children were given a tour and briefing by RSPB staff on the importance of the reserve.
Their visit was at the invitation of Helmsdale Station CIC (Community Interest Company) and made possible by the generous donation of a group travel pass from ScotRail.
Milly Revill-Hayward, peatland engagement and communications officer at RSPB Forsinard Flows, then challenged the children to demonstrate the “fragility, benefits, and sustainability of the Flow Country through pictures and literacy”.
Ms Revill-Hayward chose the winners along with Betty Grieve and Sandra Kelly, directors of Helmsdale Station CIC.
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The top prizes went to Katy Emery-Barker (P1-4) and Sorley Harrison (P5-7), with runners-up Louisa Philip (P1-4), Elspeth Jappy (P1-4), Bethany Taylor (P5-7), and Zeke Southern (P5-7).
The first prizes of a family ticket to travel on the Far North Line was donated by ScotRail, while the second and third prizes were donated by RSPB Forsinard Flows and the directors of Helmsdale Station CIC.
Most of the children’s work is now on display in the waiting room at Helmsdale Station.
Established in 2009, Helmsdale CIC generates income by letting out the refurbished station house, now self-catering accommodation, with all proceeds going towards improvements to the station, promotion of the Far North Line and community projects in and around the village.
After a successful year of trading, the CIC has now donated £1000 to Helmsdale Primary School, along with donations to the Helmsdale Medical Equipment Fund, the Helmsdale Christmas Lights Fund and Helmsdale Community Golf Club.
A spokesperson for the school said: “We are exceedingly grateful for this donation, and discussions will now be held with staff and the parent council to consider the best use of this money.”
