Salter Set to Present Ordnance Survey Maps to Local School Children
On Friday 15th January at 10am Martin Salter, Labour MP for Reading West, will be presenting Year 7 pupils at Denefield School with Ordnance Survey Maps of the Reading and Wokingham area. The initiative, in partnership with Natural England, is aimed at developing the understanding of children to their local geography and landscapes in order to encourage them to pursue more outdoor activities and hobbies.
As a keen fisherman, Mr Salter is all too aware of the enjoyment that the natural environment can provide people of all ages. The Ordnance Survey’s nationwide Free Maps for 11 Year Olds scheme is just one project intent on showing school children the alternatives to mobile phones, games consoles and hours of watching television after school and at weekends. The scheme will also teach children the art of map reading, and may be coupled with future school trips to rural areas of Berkshire or beyond.
Mr Salter said:-
“I was delighted to be asked to present local children at Denefield School with Ordnance Survey maps of our local area. It is very important for young people to grow up with certain, so-called ‘traditional’ life skills and map reading is one of those. As a youngster I used to spend hours pouring over maps looking for likely fishing spots so map reading for me was always second nature ”
He added
‘ The local environment and landscape is important for young people to appreciate and enjoy. It is great for such a scheme to be rolled out across our region, and I hope the recipients go on to make good use of them”.
Wanda Fojt of Natural England (West Area Manager) added:-
“Maps are a great way for children to learn about the natural environment. Not only can they open up a new world by showing hidden gems in a local area, but they give children the chance to explore what’s out there, whether it’s a nature reserve or a park close to home.”
A recent survey by Natural England showed that less than a quarter of children now visit a local green space on a weekly basis, half the number of their parents’ generation. We are therefore delighted to be involved in this exciting project by helping to grow children’s love of the outdoors”.