Doncaster community group begin plans for natural Christmas decorations at popular walking spot

A rock cairn has been created in a popular Doncaster nature park where people can leave decorated stones with festive messages painted on to them.
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Ian Singleton is the Secretary of the Edlington Pitwood Community.

He came up with the idea to start a cairn at the pitwood just two weeks ago.

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Families and pets have made the trip up to the Cairn.Families and pets have made the trip up to the Cairn.
Families and pets have made the trip up to the Cairn.

“But in modern times walkers and mountain climbers place rocks on cairns as a way to mark their accomplishments.

“I have put a flag at the top of the pitwood and we’ve already seen people leaving rocks with nice messages on them.

“Even though we’ve all had to be socially distant this cairn has been built by a community.”

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Ian wanted to create something at the pitwood that could withstand any damage created by vandals.

The Cairn has been visited by many people over the last week.The Cairn has been visited by many people over the last week.
The Cairn has been visited by many people over the last week.

“We had a pedestal up there before but within months it had been smashed down,” he continued.

“This cairn can’t be destroyed as it’s just rocks placed on top of one another.

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Ian is encouraging individuals to come and leave rocks that they have painted to hopefully bring some community spirit to the area.

Some rocks left have had special messages written on them.Some rocks left have had special messages written on them.
Some rocks left have had special messages written on them.

He also has plans to create a naturally decorated Christmas tree at the pitwood.

Ian said: “We don’t want people to bring glass or plastic decorations that would harm nature but rather things made from the earth.

“Baubles made from pine cones and ivy chains instead of tinsel.”

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The location of the tree will be put up on the Edlington Pitwood’s Facebook page in the coming days.

Ian hopes it will be a fun activity for families with small children and that it will encourage more people to get outside despite the cold weather.

He will create a scavenger hunt across the nature park for children to enjoy.

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You can find out more information about the cairn and the Christmas tree here.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.

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