By Andrew Simpson
LOCAL BIRDS will be able to bag themselves a stylish new home thanks to the Dovestone Youth Rangers…
For the youngsters have been taking part in ‘Abirdabode’ – an art and environmental project exploring rural and urban habitats and making beautiful bird boxes for Oldham’s feathered friends.
The project is the brainchild of Richard Dawson and Jacqui Symons, who are delivering it across the community with children, the elderly and people with learning disabilities.
The Dovestone Youth Rangers have been working on their boxes for three months at the Civic Centre in Oldham and Woodend Mill in Mossley, choosing their own designs and making the bird boxes from scratch.
The extraordinary ideas range from Jack Skellington from the movie ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ and Marvels ‘Iron Man’ to a castle with a dragon and a ‘pop art’ style box.
Jake, a member of the Youth Rangers for almost two years, combined a collection of different sized squares to create his contemporary bird box.
He said: “I thought it would be simple but it isn’t. I’ve enjoyed making everything from scratch and putting it together.”
Zac – who designed an art deco box, added: “I’ve really enjoyed shaping and drilling and I feel really proud now it’s done.
“I will donate mine to Dr Kershaws where my Nan was so I am doing my best to get it right.”
The project will culminate in an amazing exhibition at Gallery Oldham on Saturday, May 24 as part of the Festival Oldham rooted event.
Bird boxes will then be taken home by their creators or donated to provide safe nest sites for local birds, such as at Dovestone Reservoir in Greenfield.
There are lots of opportunities to still get involved including drop-in sessions and decorating human scale bird boxes, group activities designing and building bird boxes and environmental visits.
Greg Cookson, who is leading the project for the Dovestone Youth Rangers, said: “They are the best bird boxes you have ever seen, they have come up with great ideas.
“It has given the young people an opportunity to be creative and to explore new ideas while gaining new skills such as using power tools, wood design and painting.
“This project has given all of them the opportunity to stretch their imagination and has extended their skill base that can hopefully be taken to access further opportunities.”
Find out more about Abirdabode on Facebook and Twitter or to get involved email hello@abirdabode.co.uk or ring Richard on: 07801837281.
