Local letter writers inspire our future generations

We have had such an inspirational year with the Queen’s Jubilee, the Olympics and the Paralympics inspiring the nation. And now WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centres has launched a campaign called Scott 100. The Scott 100 campaign is to ‘inspire generations’ through letters.  Martin Mere centre is calling on more members of the public to write letters and help the centre inspire people about nature even more, and also maintaining it for our future generation. Anyone can write a letter, and can write it to whoever they wish, e.g. a parent, a celebrity, a Politian, etc. The chosen 100 will then be posted from the Antarctic to who the letter is addressed to. And the final winner who will be chosen by the celebrity panel will win a luxury holiday.

Since the campaign was launched in Spring this year hundreds of  letters  have been received and over £60,000 donated to the special Scott 100 Appeal Fund set up to allow schools in deprived areas to bring their pupils for a free, guided expedition around their nearest.

In the North West, WWT Martin Mere there have been some inspiring entries, including

• A letter to the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP from Alix asking him to consider introducing natural history into the national curriculum. Saying “ Education should inspire, expand the mind, open up the possibility of new experiences and give future generations the power and responsibility to effect positive change”
• Another letter writer addresses Primary Schools everywhere - to take their empty or broken bird feeders, fill them up and encourage the children not only to keep them full, but teach them to sit quietly and watch for the birds to come.

The campaign was launched to celebrate the Scott Centenary year. In 1912 Scott of the Antarctic wrote to his wife as he lay dying in a tent

“I am anxious for you and the boy’s future – make the boy interested in natural history if you can.”

That letter inspired his son Sir Peter Scott to found the WWT, spearhead the modern conservation movement, and pioneer natural history broadcasting and to inspire a generation - including Sir David Attenborough - with a passion for the natural world.

As October half term is getting closer here at Martin Mere we have a number of activities arranged for our visitors. From the 20^th October to 4^th November there will be lots going on. While families are visiting us we encourage all to write letters for the Scott 100 competition. There will be a hut we have called ‘Scott’s Hut’ were people can sit, write and submit their letters. It is important for everyone to keep in mind that the purpose of the letter is to inspire someone or a group of people to get outdoors and enjoy nature. As well as taking part in the Scott 100 competition there will be a number if activities happening at Martin Mere to keep the whole family entertained. Including;

• Carving your own pumpkin to get into the Halloween spirit
• Visiting the family of otters
• Playing in our brand new play area
• Experiencing our swan feeds, which happen every day at 3 and 3.30pm
• Explore the different habitats on our canoe safari before it closes for the winter on the 4^th November
• And also everyday between 1pm and 4pm you can come take part in our family fun filled crafts in the Education Centre.

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