Having secured Awards for All lottery funding, a forest school site was created, with support from Fran, a Montgomery resident who runs the Woodland Pack Company, and Martin and his colleagues from Cope Community.

With pupils having created plans, the different activity zones created include a secure pond, mud kitchens, a seating and cooking area, a stage area, a bug hotel, stepping stones and den building areas.

Over recent weeks, work has taken place to create a growing area, including recycled plastic raised beds, and to begin a sensory herb garden with materials and labour donated by friends of the school, parents and local businesses.

During lockdown, the school Eco Committee has been working on identifying which crops to grow.

Russell and Ade from Russell Francis kindly donated and delivered three bags of topsoil and Derwen Garden Centre and Morrisons Welshpool provided plants and seeds.

Headteacher Anna Griggs said: “I have a real passion for outdoor learning. It is an essential part of the new curriculum.

“We are using the outdoors to help safeguard children while providing health and wellbeing opportunities alongside rich learning opportunities.”

The next phase includes erecting a metal shed for storage.

While the components are already on site the school needs to work out how to complete the construction while maintaining social distancing.

The outdoor learning site will be available for pre-school children as well as learners from the school.

Once the site is complete, the school plans to run a competition to name the area ahead of a grand opening.

Ms Griggs said: “We look forward to inviting the people who have enabled this project to happen so that the children can say a huge thank you.”

Cycling campaign

Montgomery Energy Group (MEG) held its June meeting online and discussed the future of bike use in the town.

Across the UK, as well as in Montgomery, people have been walking and using their bikes more during lockdown.

A free bike scheme has seen 150 safely given out during the lockdown period.

Jeremy Thorp from MEG said: “This is great to see and good for our health and the environment, but how can we make sure it continues after lockdown ends?”

At the meeting, members learned the United Kingdom’s cycling infrastructure is far worse than in Europe but the UK Government is promising more resources.

They then discussed, if funds could be found, what should be the priority in Montgomery.

The result is that MEG has set up a survey to find out what would make it easier to walk and cycle in Montgomery so that they know what to concentrate their efforts on.

You can find the questionnaire on the Montgomery town website at https://montgomery-wales.co.uk or email your thoughts to Jeremy.thorp@gmail.com

Free tennis lessons

WE DO Tennis are offering free one-to-one tennis lessons for juniors at Montgomery Tennis Club.

The session dates are July 13, 20 and 27 with slots available between 12pm and 6pm.

Montgomery Tennis Club chairman Richard MacDonald said: “Please book quickly as the slots are being filled rapidly.”

Other nearby venues for these lessons include Churchstoke, Berriew and Newtown.

We Do Tennis works across the United Kingdom, and have already been delivering sessions safely in England since the end of June.

Their sessions include a number of protocols designed to keep players and coaches safe.

You can read more about this on their website and book a place by visiting www.wedotennis.co.uk and follow the link.

Lockdown fundraiser

Mini Montys baby and toddler group would appreciate donations of unwanted clothes and other items to help raise funds to keep their group running.

The group are also saving for a much needed replacement shed and play equipment.

The items are needed by July 14, and will then be collected by the Bag2School scheme.

You can find out what items are accepted on their website at https://bag2school.com/what-we-collect

Items must be donated in a tied bag.

To find out where and when to drop off bags safely, or to arrange local collection if necessary, contact Claire on 07967 530254.

Please remember to keep yourself and others safe by keeping two metres apart when passing on your bags of items, and washing your hands before and after while adhering to social distancing guidelines.