Wildlife Whispers – A garden requires patient labour and attention
‘A garden requires patient labour and attention. Plants do not grow merely to satisfy ambitions or to fulfil good intentions. They thrive because someone expended effort on them.’ Liberty Hyde Bailey.
Wow! This powerful quote struck a chord with me whilst I sat down to write the latest instalment of our ‘Wildlife Whispers’ blog. The ‘expended effort’ was particularly poignant as last Saturday a team of students, parents and teachers ably led by our ‘hands-on’ Headmaster, Mr Groves, took to the Nature Garden for a 3-hour session of clearing and planting to get the area up and running for the Summer term. The atmosphere was amazing as 70 bodies worked together to create a raised beds section around our Wendy house and a stepping stone trail. The working party also prepared the vegetable patch for the season’s planting and cleared the final weeds from our concrete plinth. Whilst the parents worked like Trojans, their children were treated to an array of planting activities courtesy of Mrs Smith. In all, your seedlings managed to plant the following: sweet peas, strawberries, herb planters, runner beans, butternut-squash, pumpkins, sweetcorn, peas and tomatoes! Thank you to Mr Ward for nurturing these in his greenhouse until they are ready for planting. They also made milk carton watering cans and plant labels from old wooden spoons – excellent re-using!
On top of this Mr Groves oversaw the bonfire of all bonfires – one that the school would have been proud to showcase! Those who were there really felt the community spirit our school is built on. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who came for their support and time. We especially thank Mrs Smith for her time in setting up the activities for the children and Mr McCann for piloting the digge, and Mrs Booth for donating it for the event. Also, may I take this opportunity to thank Mr Ovenden for donating some sleepers which have made our raised beds. Not forgetting Mr Mckenzie and his car ‘Optimus Prime’ for transporting said sleepers back to school.
Finally, thank you to all the parents who are volunteering seeds and spare equipment. We welcome any contributions you would like to make and we are particularly on the lookout for the following:
Hanging baskets, watering cans, old cds, shed, Log store or wood to make log store, sleepers, poly-tunnels, plants for garden, plants for a plant sale, large tractor tyre to make planters, compost and old terracotta pots
The Nature Garden is going from strength to strength and your support is fully appreciated.
