Youngsters will put their treasure hunting skills to the test next month as The Alloway Railway Tunnel and Meallmore Group’s Greenan Manor Care Home in Doonfoot have teamed up to engage the community with a dream project- as well as provide a fun activity during the summer holidays.
The competition, which runs between Friday, August 4 and Sunday, August 13, will see care home residents paint stones as ‘queen bees’ before hiding them at the cycle path from Alloway to Doonfoot.
This intergenerational project is hoped to be the first of many opportunities for both organisations to work together to raise awareness of the project, which hopes to see the dilapidated tunnel transformed into a stunning mural.
Volunteers are currently working to turn the old tunnel into a colourful attraction, similar to that of Edinburgh’s Collinton Tunnel, which saw a forgotten site in the capital revamped into a bright trail.
The team in Alloway have enlisted the help of Chris Rutterford, the same artist who brightened up the Collinton landmark.
Shelagh McLachlan, Alloway Railway Tunnel Secretary, said: “This is one of many children’s activities and competitions we have organised this summer to engage with the community.
“We want to raise awareness of the tunnel and cycle path and encourage children to explore and play in these spaces.
“It will be lovely for the children to meet some of the care home residents and have fun together.”
Elaine Hughes, Greenan Manor care home manager, said: “We are thrilled to be teaming up with our community partners at the Alloway Railway Tunnel project to bring this great activity to local primary pupils.
“Intergenerational activities like this provide a platform for older people and youngsters to get to know each other and develop positive perceptions and relationships.”
Full article can be found here: https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/summer-holiday-kids-competition-to-shine-spotlight-on-south-ayrshire-arts-project/
