Enjoy Bowland's beauty and birdsong with new Days to Remember online memory box

An innovative online memory box is set to bring the Lancashire countryside alive.
Creating a memory box. This box contains a range of resources which will evoke memories of visits to the Bowland AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).Creating a memory box. This box contains a range of resources which will evoke memories of visits to the Bowland AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).
Creating a memory box. This box contains a range of resources which will evoke memories of visits to the Bowland AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).

The Bowland Days To Remember outreach project is designed to help older people and those with dementia recall happy memories of visits to the Bowland AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).

It is also hoped the virtual views and audio recordings of birdsong will help boost the physical and emotional wellbeing of those exploring the memory box.

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Sandra Silk, Forest of Bowland Project Officer, said: "There are times when a visit to the great outdoors isn't possible and at those times, the Forest of Bowland AONB team hopes their new online resources will come in handy."

Beauty through the changing seasons - this photo shows a winter scene of a  riverside path in Bowland.Beauty through the changing seasons - this photo shows a winter scene of a  riverside path in Bowland.
Beauty through the changing seasons - this photo shows a winter scene of a riverside path in Bowland.

Family members and carers too can join in and to enjoy a "virtual" exploration of the area.

A newly launched web page includes tips and resources for making your own Great Outdoors memory box plus links to puzzles, quizzes and colouring sheets and a guided meditation.

Sandra said, "Last year we worked with Lancashire County Council's Heritage Learning Team to produce a Great Outdoors memory box full of activities designed to trigger positive recollections and encourage conversations about past countryside visits and adventures. Unfortunately, this part of LCC's loans service is temporarily on hold so the new web page is our way of sharing some of those ideas online."

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Activities include Bowland wildflower "playing cards" which can be downloaded and printed; a series of images from around the AONB, which can be used to make up a photograph album; recordings of the calls of Bowland birds, including curlew and lapwing, plus ideas for other resources to spark happy memories.

Sandra Silk, Forest ofBowlandProject OfficerSandra Silk, Forest ofBowlandProject Officer
Sandra Silk, Forest ofBowlandProject Officer

The web page includes a guided meditation written and narrated by Helen Leece of the Gathering Fields Retreat near Abbeystead. This is based on the sights and sounds of a Bowland meadow in summer and its 20 minute audio, which includes natural sounds and simple music, is designed to encourage gentle relaxation.

Sandra said: "Ultimately, we would like to help people experience Bowland in a variety of ways whether that be through improving signposting and access so that people have the confidence to explore for themselves, or through offering guided sessions and activities. In the meantime, we hope our online suggestions will help people stay connected to nature."

The Days to Remember web page can be found at https://www.forestofbowland.com/days-remember

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