An old council depot has been transformed into a place that fosters a 'love for learning and nature'.

Little Bats Learning CIC has opened its new forest school, The Roost at Bright Meadows, on land off Ashley Avenue, Breightmet. 

It was launched with an Apple Day celebration last month, with games, food and a full unveiling of the new site, which includes an orchard. 

It will be used for community food growing, an edible forest garden and will have a wild grassy part.

The Bolton News: Children enjoying Little Bats' Apple Day celebrationChildren enjoying Little Bats' Apple Day celebration (Image: Tom Benson Photography)

Little Bats run forest schools for children and adults in Bolton, having held them at Seven Acres Country Park for two years.

Founder of Little Bats Learning, Elanor Gordon, said: "The new site in the heart of the community in Breightmet is an opportunity to engage with more families, and the new look for us truly captures the spirit of adventure and exploration that defines our forest school.

"This exciting transformation embodies our dedication to fostering a nurturing learning environment for children in Bolton.

The Bolton News: Having funHaving fun (Image: Tom Benson Photography)

"We now have an online presence that we can use to demonstrate the work being done by our brilliant volunteers and the fun being had by the kids." 

A polytunnel has now also been installed, serving as a hub for various educational activities and as an ecological resource for the community. 

In it, children will be able to explore the wonders of horticulture, sustainable living, and environmental stewardship. 

The Bolton News: Children at the openingChildren at the opening (Image: Tom Benson Photography)

Little Bats Learning has also launched its new website, which will provide parents and guardians seamless access to information about the forest school's programs, events, and the overall learning environment. 

For more information about Little Bats, visit their website at: https://littlebatslearning.org/

Little Bats thanks Bolton CVS and the Greater Manchester Environment Fund for their funding of the new forest school. 

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at zach.harrison@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @zachhjourno.