July 2023 has seen the culmination of the work by the Community Department of Glamorgan Cricket, via the CC4 Museum of Welsh Cricket, on an innovative project on environmental education looking at how cricket could be played in the future under warmer and wetter weather as well as in sustainable and environmentally-friendly stadia.
The work began last year when the Museum was recognised, together with 36 small museums across the UK, to be awarded grant funding by the Royal Society in its Places of Science scheme. Since the award, the Community Department has linked up with staff and pupils at Pencaerau Primary School in Cardiff as well as CENIN, a Bridgend-based developer of renewable energy projects. The pupils have visited both Sophia Gardens as well as CENIN’s Parc Stormy headquarters and have learnt about a number of important issues relating to the environment and sustainability.
Besides creating material and videos for the Museum’s website, the pupil’s work has been on display at The Royal Society’s prestigious Summer Science Exhibition at their headquarters in London with Dr. Andrew Hignell, the Museum’s Curator, and Glamorgan Cricket’s Heritage and Education Co-ordinator also giving a couple of lectures about the project and the potential impact of global warming on cricket as part of the enrichment activities at The Royal Society’s Exhibition on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 July.
“It has been a very worthwhile and stimulating Project,” said Andrew, “especially as we have been able, in a very innovative way, to use the Museum’s extensive collection of archive photographs and other material about the fascinating history of Sophia Gardens. Our ground is located within a conservation area, and the pupils have carefully weighed up the current eco-challenges, as well as suggesting some fantastic ideas for adapting stadia in the future, as well as changing spectator behaviours. We have also been delighted to work with CENIN and the visit to Parc Stormy has clearly helped the pupils to produce some high-quality ideas." Click here to view the pupil's ideas and to watch some of the videos which have been created about the Project.
“Pencaerau Primary School have been delighted to work with Glamorgan Cricket to develop ideas for a more sustainable future,” said Sam Lane, the Senior Leader at Pencaerau PS. “We understand that our natural world is diverse and dynamic, influenced by processes and human actions. As ethically informed citizens of Wales and the world, it is important for our children to be given opportunities to have an influence on their immediate locality. We are grateful that this opportunity has been presented to us by The Royal Society and the support we have also received from CENIN.”
CENIN Director Martyn Popham said “We are delighted to be partnering with Glamorgan Cricket, helping the young people of Pencaerau School design their own sustainable stadia We are in the midst of a climate emergency that requires collective action from all sectors and to see the pupils so engaged with this project gives me great confidence in our future generations.”
The Royal Society’s Places of Science scheme aims to evoke curiosity, interest and enthusiasm by exploring science in a creative way. “The projects which have been funded have used a diverse range of creative activities and content to inspire their local communities,” said Professor Jonathan Ashmore, Chair of the Places of Science panel, and Professor of Biophysics at University College, London. “This year’s awardees have also actively made sure that their projects are accessible to everyone in their local communities and will inspire local generations to come.”
The Royal Society is a self-governing Fellowship of many of the world’s most distinguished scientists drawn from all areas of science, engineering, and medicine. The Society’s fundamental purpose, as it has been since its foundation in 1660, is to recognise, promote, and support excellence in science and to encourage the development and use of science for the benefit of humanity. CENIN is a Bridgend based renewable energy developer, committed to powering a greener future whilst maximising benefits for the communities in which they work. Through an innovative approach to renewable energy provision, CENIN utilises the earth’s natural resources to unlock the hidden green energy potential that will help Wales meet its commitment to 100% of electricity coming from renewable sources by 2035. As part of its commitment to local communities, CENIN offer all Year 6 pupils from schools near its projects a free visit to CENIN’s Parc Stormy HQ, where they get a unique opportunity to see renewable energy generation in action. As well as a tour of the site, the young people also a receive a curriculum-led, taught lesson in the on-site ‘Knowledge Hub’ from one of CENIN’s team of sustainability experts. Find out more at www.cenin.co.uk or contact niall@avenue-creative.co.uk