Chelsea garden uproots to Yorkshire school
A GARDEN that wowed the crowds at last year’s Chelsea Flower Show has been uprooted and transported to a Yorkshire school to allow pupils to develop their horticultural skills.
The ‘Urban School Garden’ features edible plants and was designed by Royal Horticultural Society ambassador Jamie Butterworth, who nominated Lawefield Primary, in Wakefield, to receive the garden.
It was donated by plant food firm Miracle-Gro as part of an initiative to give a green space to an urban school with no garden so children could learn to grow their own produce.
The idea behind the design of was to highlight what could be achieved in a small area, requiring no existing soil or plants.
Headteacher Joanne Beetham said: “Miracle-Gro paid for the garden to be transported to and erected at our school, where they recently spent a few days installing compost and plants with the children.
“The benefits of the Chelsea garden will provide Lawefield Primary with opportunities to develop outdoor learning for the whole school.
“It will enhance our science and design technology curriculum and allow the children to have first- hand experience of gardening, growing, cooking and eating their own food.
“The garden will also give us another opportunity to educate our children about the importance of healthy living.”
After becoming a finalist in BBC3’s Young Gardener of the Year aged just 16, Jamie Butterworth, who grew up in Wakefield, went on to co-found YoungHort in 2013 to inspire more young people to choose gardening as a career.
Jamie, whose mother is a former teacher at the school, opened the Silver Gilt awardwinning garden and will now offer ongoing support to the primary.
Miss Beetham added: “The school community is very grateful for this generous donation.”