A two-year project to transform an unused patch of grass at a Shropshire school into a vibrant vegetable garden and haven for wildlife has been completed.
Children at Prestfelde School in Shrewsbury have contributed to the scheme, coming up with creative ideas to incorporate into the project, and school governor and former pupil Matt Sandford and his family have provided valuable sponsorship.
“It was two years ago that we had an exciting vision to turn a bland grassed area within the school’s 30 acre grounds into a thriving garden,” said Shrewsbury businessman Matt, who wanted to create a memorial for his late father, Michael Sandford, who was lost at sea in 1978 while Matt was at Prestfelde.
He commented: “I had a desire to establish a place for quiet reflection and so we developed a productive vegetable garden and although it has only just been opened it already has a unique and special atmosphere to it.
“It feels secure and peaceful. It’s a place where children can learn how to grow, experiment and explore nature and to share their own fresh nutritious food with our school cook.”
To mark the opening pupils hosted a tea party, selling cakes and tomato plants they had carefully nurtured. The funds were shared between the Nepal Earthquake Disaster Appeal and the garden project.
Teaching assistant Gail Murray, who helped with the initiative, said: “Our first harvest has proved bountiful, with regular baskets of broad beans, peas, radishes, potatoes, strawberries, carrots, garlic, onions and summer salad being delivered by children to the school kitchen.
“The sweet pleasure and excitement of harvesting crops has been a delight for everyone.”
She thanked Matt Sandford for sponsoring the garden, school grounds staff for their support and enthusiasm, the Friends of Prestfelde School for enabling the purchase of essential equipment and materials, parents for donating pots and the new Wyevale Garden Centre for sponsorship.
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