School creates own fruit and veg garden

Alison Patel writes: A school has transformed a piece of wasteland into a lush garden with fruit trees, vegetables and herbs, which is now being used as an outdoor classroom.

The project at Shelley First School has been driven by member of staff, Linda Green, who has worked together with about 200 children, volunteers, teachers, governors and councillors.

Equipment and materials have been donated by individuals and companies wanting to help build the garden.

Children are learning about the natural world by exploring the garden's runner beans which are grown on tripods, tomatoes in grow-bags and strawberries ripening.

Ms Green told the local paper that the children had developed a curiosity and enthusiasm for "all things outdoors as a direct result of this wonderful project".

A recent debate in the House of Commons on the supply of food prompted one west Midlands MP to suggest that councils should receive encouragement to make allotments available to the public.

Mr Daniel Kawczynski (Constituency of Shrewsbury and Atcham) said: "Food security starts with encouraging people to grow their own vegetables. That may be a funny thing to say, but one Briton in three is thinking of starting up an allotment and growing their own vegetables."

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