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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Lynn McKenna

Family's fairy dust brings a touch of magic to Wishaw woodland

Nestled in the back of Coltness is a magical forest destined to make dreams come true for youngsters.

Inspired by a similar wooded area on the Isle of Bute, a local family made it their new year resolution to create the magical forest on their doorstep in a bid to encourage children to explore the great outdoors.

Angela Russell, her step daughter Ainslie, and her two children Polly, six, and Johnny, nine, have created the lovely area in Branchal Plantation woods just off Kilmeny Crescent.

Ainslie and Polly (Wishaw Press)

Angela said: “It’s been lovely to do this with the children.

“They are loving it, especially Polly. Her wee eyes light up when we go into the forest and she sees it all.”

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As well as making lovely memories with their own little ones, Angela and Ainslie hope to encourage more families to go along to the woods and join them in creating the magical place for kids to explore.

They hope it will spur kids on to leave behind their computers to go outside and enjoy the fresh air.

With the help of local people, including Robin Russell, the group has hung bright coloured signs throughout the forest and have already started hanging fairies, windmills, trinkets, soft toys and Disney characters on the trees.

(Wishaw Press)

They have also created a little den for kids to hang out in and are hoping to eventually get bright coloured benches in the forest for families to enjoy picnics in the summer.

Angela added: “We go up walking in the forest most days with the dogs. It’s been lovely to see other people up there enjoying it like us.”

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