Garden clean up at Larchfield school

1 of 4

About 70 volunteers mucked in on Saturday to complete a project first started a year ago.

The Bargeman Road plot was full of children and parents busy digging and planting a sensory explosion.

Rustling grasses were among the 250 plants bedded in, along with aromatic thyme and mint.

The children also painted bird and bug boxes which were placed around the garden.

The idea was to create a garden that will excite all the senses.

School business manager Lynne Moore said: "A great day was had by all and we had lovely weather for it.

"Everybody got stuck in and got muddy."

Adding to the excitement was a visit from Basil and Crew who brought along ponies, goats, sheep, rabbits, ducks and two dogs for the children to play with.

The garden will be used by the school for learning and play and local community groups have also be invited in to enjoy it.

A raised earth amphitheatre was also created and a bench has been placed around a cherry tree so some lessons can be held outside.

It was created using a £12,750 grant from the Heathrow Community and Environment Awards in partnership with Groundwork Thames Valley.

The PTA also lent its support and  the Greener Garden Company to was brought in to oversee the project.

The idea for a garden came about after pupils, parents and staff were surveyed about what should be done with an unused piece of playing field at the school.

The first phase was being completed earlier this year with a vegetable garden and  pond filled with tadpoles, frogs and fish created.

On Saturday carrots were picked from the garden and the school cooked whipped up a batch for fresh soup for the volunteers to try.

Lynne said it was great to see it finally finished and added: "Children love learning outside and the hands-on approach so it's really exciting having this finished and seeing them having such a lovely time."