Speyside High School Junior Rangers commemorate the 40 year anniversary of the Speyside Way
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TO CELEBRATE the 40-year anniversary of the Speyside Way bench, pupils from the local school have honoured the site's original builders.
The bench was originally built in 1981 by senior pupils at Speyside High School and was refurbished for its 40-year anniversary by current school students.
The bench site, which can be found beyond the suspension bridge over the Aberlour Burn, was re-built by students in the John Muir Junior Ranger programme who teamed up with Moray Council’s Countryside Ranger. They rebuilt the bench using the seat's original building materials.
Moray Council’s Countryside Ranger, Ged Connell, said: “It’s been an extremely rewarding project working with the Speyside High pupils and a lovely arc in the life-story of this bench.
“We knew the bench needed replaced or refurbished so when the S3 Junior Rangers were looking for an outdoor project it was the perfect fit for them."
The Junior Ranger programme gives young people the opportunity to learn about and experience a range of countryside careers. The students also helped to clean up the area around the bench site by rebuilding the fences and around the area.
Speyside High School Head Teacher, Tricia Goodbrand, added: “Our S3 John Muir pupils have really enjoyed this project and have gained valuable skills in the process.
“More than that though, it’s been a privilege for them to honour our pupils of 40 years ago, who built the original bench when the school was only five years old.
"It's a wonderful link for them to have to our heritage locally and I hope people walking the Speyside Way enjoy the bench for at least another 40 years.”
