School film project premieres
The glamour and glitz of the Hollywood red carpet is coming to Livingston today. Pupils from five secondary schools across West Lothian will be getting the red carpet treatment as their film project premieres.
Over the last six months The Woodland Trust Scotland has been working with the young people to identify their views on their local woods and discover where those attitudes come from. The Trust asked them to specifically think about their local woodland and make a film which focuses on the positive aspects of their natural heritage.
Today is the culmination of the project as the films are shown for the first time to everyone involved at a special screening at the Vue Cinema. The young people have worked together to prepare their own script, star in, direct and produce the films which portray the natural environment in a positive light and encourage others to visit.
The project is part of the Branching Out West Lothian Project (BOWL) which aims to improve the biodiversity value of the woods, encourage more people to get out and into their local woods , as well as providing inspiration for learning across the curriculum by enabling schools to use their local woods as a classroom,.
Former Whitburn Academy pupil and X Factor winner Leon Jackson said of the project: “Using film is a really great way to express your views. This film project has given teenagers in the area a unique opportunity to learn about their local environment. I would like to wish everyone good luck for today's premiere and in particular my old school Whitburn Academy."
The project has received funding from Heritage Lottery Fund, Scottish Natural Heritage and West Lothian Council.
Notes to editors
For media enquiries contact:
Jacqui Morris on 01355 578777 or mobile 07979 706675 alternatively call The Woodland Trust Press Office on 01476 581121, e-mail
media@woodlandtrust.org.ukThe Woodland Trust
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 300,000 members and supporters.
The Trust has three key aims: i) to enable the creation of more native woods and places rich in trees ii) to protect native woods, trees and their wildlife for the future iii) to inspire everyone to enjoy and value woods and trees
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). Access to its sites is free.
In 1984, the Trust acquired its first wood in Scotland. In the last 25 years the Trust has increased its holdings in Scotland it now owns 80 sites across Scotland covering 8,500 hectares. Further news can be accessed via this website.