THE community based environmental group Gwyrddio Penarth Greening (GPG) have started the year with an initiative to donate a copy of the Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris book ‘The Lost Words’ to all primary schools in the Penarth area.

The book is a celebration of nature words and aims to encourage children to engage with the natural world.

A collection of hand illustrated poems, the book came about as a response to the news that the Oxford Junior Dictionary had dropped many words describing the natural world while adding new words such as ‘broadband’.

GPG were inspired to donate the books after hearing of a fundraising campaign currently underway in Scotland that is aiming to get a copy of the book into every primary school in Scotland. To date GPG have bought nine copies of the book which have been delivered to schools in and around Penarth.

In response to the donation Steve Williams, the headteacher at Sully Primary School, said:"Sully Primary School is thrilled to have received a copy of ‘The Lost Words’ from GPG.

"This beautifully illustrated book reminds us of the close relationship between our linguistic and ecological heritage.

"The language and artwork found within the book has inspired our pupils and staff whilst making us mindful of the threat that we pose our planet through our negligence."

GPG committee member Anthony Slaughter said: "The response to the book from teachers and children has been wonderful and GPG are very excited to be engaging with the local community in this way.

"It has also been inspiring to see the work being done in our primary schools around environmental issues and the natural world."

GPG would also like to thank Mel Griffin of Griffin Books who helped make the donations possible by supplying the books at a very generous discounted price.