Pupils getting back to nature in new garden

A NEW innovative garden will help green-fingered pupils at Bottesford Infants School blossom in all areas of the curriculum.

An area of wasteland at the school in Manor Road has been transformed into an interactive, outdoor classroom thanks to a £7,000 grant from Awards For All.

The new garden, which was designed by pupils, the school council and North Lincolnshire gardening expert John Cavill, was opened yesterday.

Pupils and parents were given the chance to see the wonderful new garden, which will help pupils enhance their education.

John explained how the garden will help the pupils learn global gardening techniques, as well as traditional English horticulture.

He said: "The new garden is bursting with a variety of fruit, vegetables and wildlife habitats.

"It contains an Indian-American area, where the pupils will grow squashes, sweetcorn and beans.

"There is an African keyhole garden, a number of French and English flower beds, a mini-orchard, a digging area and a special habitat for mini-beasts."

John said the garden also has a hexagonal greenhouse, which will home a variety of fruits.

He said: "The hexagonal greenhouse is made entirely from recycled plastic bottles.

"The youngsters are making the greenhouse themselves by fitting the bottles, one inside the other, and then fastening them to the frame.

"This creates a double-glazed greenhouse.

"They will be growing a variety of fruit and we will be using a Japanese technique to grow tomatoes."

Charlie Barroclough, six, said he was looking forward to playing in the new interactive garden.

"I think the garden is very nice," he said.

"I like the greenhouse and I think it is a very good idea to make it out of bottles."

Megan Irving, seven, said she was excited about seeing the fruit and vegetables grow.

"I can not wait to see the fruit on the trees," she said.

"I like apples, pears and strawberries very much. The garden will look very pretty in the summer."

Headteacher Vilma Orchard was overjoyed with the new garden.

"I am absolutely delighted with the transformation," she said.

"It has been amazing. Just a few weeks ago the area was unused wasteland.

"The garden will help the pupils learn about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, their awareness of recycling and improve a number of skills, including numeracy and science."

Mrs Orchard said the garden owes its creation to the pupils' imaginative ideas.

"Originally, we consulted the children to see what they wanted and they came up with some brilliant ideas," she said

"The £7,000 grant from Awards For All made it possible and John Cavill has been a real driving force.I can't wait for the spring, to see the garden in full bloom.

"The area will be used as an outdoor classroom, and a place for children gather inspiration."