Chelmsford Borough Council has been working with local schools to get children growing and teach them about food, healthy living and environmental issues.

At Lawford Mead Infant school in Chelmsford - a National Healthy Schools Programme (NHSP) 'Advanced Healthy School' - the Council has helped to create an allotment garden within their grounds that can be used by infants, juniors and local pre-schools to promote healthy eating and provide a green classroom.

The garden was designed with geometric shaped beds, one of which is raised to provide access for all children and adults, and to help them learn about cultivating their plot, growing vegetables and flowers, composting and recycling. A number of children, with help from Neighbourhood Environmental Action Team (NEAT) and Parks officers, also planted a native hedge of hazel, field maple, wayfaring tree and spindle around the allotment, to create a colourful habitat for birds and insects.

-- Advertisement --

The project captured the imagination of many of the pupils who are excitedly planning what to grow during the coming year. Involving pre-school, infant and junior pupils in a joint project has the added benefit of bringing pupils and families together, which can have such a positive effect on every aspect of their life and help with the transition to the next stage of their education.

Chelmsford Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Parks & Heritage, Councillor Christopher Kingsley said: "With debate continuing on topics such as obesity, climate change and the environment, we should not underestimate the importance of educating the next generation about these crucial issues - literally at the grass-roots level. Getting involved at a young age in the pleasures of gardening and growing food, encourages children to care not only about their external environment, but also what they put in their own mouths - and of course it's good exercise and great fun."

(CD/JM)