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Stoke Gabriel Children have green fingers

It is good news for Stoke Gabriel’s gardeners who are working hard to get the village ready for the annual Britain in Bloom competition: the future generation of gardening lovers is already being nurtured through the preschool and primary school.  

There was no holding them back when the pre-school children were told to get their hands dirty as they filled pots full of compost at a visit to local plant nursery, Roots to Shoots.

After taking the children on a tour of the nursery, Lynne Aspinall, the owner, set them to work filling their own pots with compost.  Little encouragement was needed as they filled their pots with their own choice of flowering plants and completed the task with enthusiastic watering.  Lynne said: “It was good to share the enjoyment that I get from growing plants and to give the children an opportunity that they might not have had.” (Picture: top to bottom: Jasmine, age six, Finn, age seven, Freddie, age seven, Felix, age five, with some of the flowers that brighten up their playground).

The visit was part of a project to learn about growing plants.  Kate Peakman, pre-school supervisor talked about how it was great for the children to get first hand experience of planting their own flowers: “They had a fantastic time and were pleased to go home with their colourful pots,” she said.

Meanwhile, the primary school children have been planting unusual containers with flowers to brighten up the school grounds.  From old wellies and shopping bags filled with geraniums to an old school desk with tomato plants growing in it, the children have worked hard to bring colour to what was just a concrete space.

Heather Boote, the head teacher, said: “The front of the school looks lovely and as the children are responsible for watering their own flowers, they are learning to care for their environment at the same time.”

By Julie Goodall ( of Stoke Gabriel)

13 July 2006

Photos

Left Suzanne Payne and Ellie, age three, get their hands dirty.

Centre: Edward, age four, with his finished pot of flowers.

Right: Ellie, age three and Aaron, age three, are proud of their pots of flowers.