The garden gang get to work

Lochwinnoch pupils dig in to improve green space

Pupils are growing places with th their new and improved school ol garden, thanks to funding and nd efforts from parent volunteers. s.

Lochwinnoch Primary School parent nt council was awarded more than £4,000 00 from Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Climate te Challenge Fund at the start of the year. r.

Parent volunteers have worked d hard to transform the space, called d the Lochwinnoch Primary School l Community Garden Hub, with 14 4 new veg planters, raised beds, new w garden tools, a shed and replacement polytunnel cover.

Each class has a bed of their own and in the past month since it was completed, youngsters have been busy planting strawberries, herbs, raspberries, potatoes and wheat.

And these primary three pupils were working alongside local environmental education charity Starling Learning to create a ‘no dig’ bed for birds seed and wildflowers.

Principal teacher Anne Menzies said: “We are so happy to be using the garden now and the pupils are loving being outside more and learning ning more about planting.

“We have a raised bed for every class in the school and some available for community use.

“This is a great opportunity for our pupils to get to know some of the local community and feel that they are making a difference to their village.

“As a school, we promote kindness, respect, enthusiasm and creativity, which will all be developed through the Community Growing Hub.”

“There are fantastic benefits from outdoor learning, such as improved mental wellbeing, knowledge of where our food comes from and how to help the environment.

“As a school, we are really looking forward to starting our growing journey and using our fantastic garden area.”

Ms Menzies thanked the parent council, volunteers and Starling Learning for their ongoing support.