Banff Academy pupils on a mission to connect communities
Pupils from Banff Academy are set to host a public event which aims to showcase the breadth of local community groups, clubs and activities available in the town and Macduff.
Recognising the need to reconnect communities and build awareness of what there is to do in local towns, Mission Connect encourages residents and visitors alike to come and find out more about what Banff and Macduff can offer.
The event will bring together representatives from a wide selection of organisations to showcase the range of activities available.
Attendees taking part include Banff and Macduff Men’s Shed, Deveron River Brass, Deveron Archers, The Vinery, Banff Rugby Club, The Forge Banff CIC, and Vanilla Ink, all offering information on how to get involved with the activities they provide.
In addition, S1 pupils from Banff Academy will present a series of destination guides which they have created to encourage people and visitors to explore the wonders on the doorstep.
Through project based Learning, pupils were given a challenge of how to encourage locals and tourists to explore Banff’s culture, heritage and outdoors.
The S1 pupils used their creativity, teamwork and digital skills to develop a website called Doorstep Explorers, which includes more than 50 walking guides of the area.
The guides include original pieces of work which highlight local landmarks, art, poetry and music.
The mapped routes are designed to cater for a variety of explorers including dog walkers, horse riders, cyclists, families and tourists, including those with accessibility requirements.
Visitors to the event can also join Tracy Chalmers, local blogger of Tracy Goes Outside, on a free mid-morning town centre walk to explore the history, heritage and offerings in Banff town centre.
Banff Academy staff and pupils have been working with Vivien Rae of Macduff-based Evoke Marketing to coordinate the event, which has been made possible with thanks to funding secured from Aberdeenshire Council’s Two Towns Big Ideas fund.
Hannah Clark, principal teacher of project based learning at Banff Academy, said: “Our pupils are very excited to showcase the work they have put into creating the Doorstep Explorers website with the aim of getting locals and tourists out and about, exploring everything Banff and the surrounding area has to offer.
“As a community connected school, we want our young people to be proud of where they come from and contribute towards maintaining Banff and Macduff as thriving communities.
“By taking part in this project, our S1s explored the culture, heritage and great outdoors Banff has to offer and look forward to sharing this.”
The event takes place on Friday, June 7 from 9am to 6.30pm, and Saturday, June 8 from 9.30am to 1pm, at The Bank, 40B High Street, Banff. All are welcome and it is free admission.
