CHILDREN and families are set to enjoy one of Reading’s best-kept wildlife secrets thanks to the launch of a new audio trail.
On Monday, July 11, The University of Reading launched the initiative at Harris Garden, to help visitors learn about its rare and unusual plants.
The trail is 35 minutes long and was made in conjunction with soundscape artist Richard Bentley, children from three local primary schools (Redlands, Alfred Sutton and Newtown primary schools), as well as outdoor educators Charlotte Allchin and Teresa Verney-Brookes.
Stéphanie Mitchell, Arts Development Officer at the University of Reading, said: “The Harris Garden is one of Reading’s hidden gems. Open to all, it is a beautiful green space that gives people the chance to admire some interesting and unusual plants and, more importantly, reconnect with nature.”
“The audio trail is aimed at helping visitors to the Harris Garden access some of its treasures. We were keen for local school children to be involved in the project so that they could create something special for their local community and have the experience of creating a different type of art.
“Working with our outdoor educators meant that they could learn more about the Harris Garden as a place to visit but also as a way of nurturing a sense of environmental stewardship.
“It was a real pleasure to see the excitement and wonder of the children as they learnt about the garden and the wildlife within it.”
The trail’s narration is set to sounds recorded in the garden by the school children, featuring birdsong, crunching leaves and wind blowing through the trees.
The students also used percussion instruments from around the world.
The Harris Garden was established in 1972 and named after distinguished palaeo-botanist and former professor Tom Harris.
Located on the south side of the Whiteknights campus, it is a small botanical garden containing many tree and shrub species from around the world.
Monkey trees, ginkgos and redwoods feature, with some plants dating back to the garden’s 18th century origins.
Emily Farahani, a teacher at Newtown Primary School, said: “Visiting the Harris Garden was a wonderful opportunity for our children. It was fantastic to see them spend the day outside and the effect this had on their wellbeing and self-confidence was incredible.
“Having access to spaces like the Harris Gardens is so valuable for our children who live in urban areas to enable them to connect with nature.”
The audio trail was produced as part of the university’s public arts strategy, with assistance from Reading School of Art, the Institute of Education, Estates Team and School of Biological Sciences.
The Harris Garden is currently undergoing path construction and re-surfacing works, as the university creates an accessible loop of the entire garden.
