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Taking learning out of the classroom nets North primary top prize
Plans to transform an old meadow, copse and pond into a nature area at Orchid Vale Primary School in Haydon End won a Quality of Life
Award and £500 prize money at the town’s annual Eco Bash in April, held by Swindon Councils’ Sustainable Development team.
The quarter acre site will be- works from gathered material or ing tents.
come an area for outdoor learning, woodland games to promote Wiltshire Wild-
following the ethos of the Swin- physical activity. life Trust will be
don Forest Schools. Typical activi- The site will also be used for providing expert
ties might include creating art- camp fires, making dens and erect- advice on devel-
oping a rich eco-
logical area within
OPEN GARDENS the newly urban-
ised district, and
Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 June. 11am - 5pm the RSPB will be
West Swindon in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer paying a visit to
Gardens in the Shaw & Nine Elms area open on both days. Lower Shaw talk about bird
boxes and feeders.
Farm organic gardens on Sunday 17 June.
Head, Debbie
Craft, cake & bric-a-brac stalls; Breakthrough cream teas. Kalynka, said the
Tickets to all gardens on both days: £3 adult, accompanied under 17s Forest School idea Debbie Kalynka with award winners, eager for their wild-
free, from: Lesley Dredge, tel: 772869 and participating gardens. fits perfectly with life jungle to become a haven for birds and bees
Car parking, toilets and refreshments at The Nine Elms, Old Shaw Lane the school’s cross curricular ap- tact Clint Ricketts on 07876 196685:
(Donation from Father’s Day Lunch 17 June) proach. “It teaches children inde- [email protected]
pendence and social skills and al-
Hannington Village and Gardens Open Weekend in aid
lows them adventures that many Winners and commendations
of church roof fund adults will have had as children. It • Greendown was runner up in
Homemade tea & cakes; plant and craft stalls. involves risk taking and problem the schools category for its organic
Hannington is between Highworth and Kempsford. Turn off B4019 at solving, but within a safe and su- allotment; Nylands Primary took
the Freke Arms. Access to all gardens £3 pervised setting. the overall trophy for achieving
“We’re going to clear away the Eco-School status;
weeds and cut the grass so that • The Wednesday Cafe at Lower
D.A. DRIVEWAYS & PATIOS LTD more wildlife can come in,” said Shaw Farm was winner of the com-
Chloe Cowley from Year 3. “We’d munity award, and Penhill Com-
❐ Block Paving ❐ Landscaping ❐ Fencing
like to make wooden sculptures munity Orchard was runner up;
❐ Decorative Stone ❐ General Maintenance there and also make nice homes •LEAVES won the business award
For a professional and affordable service, for ladybirds and dragonflies.” for their urban woodland conser-
free consultation and written quotation The £500 will go some way to- vation work. Science Museum at
wards preparing the area but do- Wroughton was runner up;
Tel: 01793 878062 or 07866 523898 nations of tools such as spades, • Swindon Real Nappy Network,
hand saws, and a shed, will be Twin Peaks Walkers, SCAN and
very welcome. Call the school on Chiseldon Primary School were all
704003 with offers of help or con- highly commended.
www.timberdeckingco.co.uk
Peatmoor become eco-proud
Peatmoor Primary School is the second in Swindon to receive an Eco-
Your complete Schools Award.
TIMBER DECKING Over the last two years pupils have been carrying out a wide range
Specialist of projects to cut down on energy by closing doors in the winter,
recycling paper from every classroom, and working with parents to
recycle at home and with partner schools in Sweden and South Africa.
Vegetables have been grown and measured for maths, a compost
roly-pig kept full with fruit and vegetable waste from lunchboxes and
the school kitchens, taps turned off and teabags collected for an adult
❍ Timber Decking craft employment scheme in South Africa.
Now they can fly an eco flag over the school , but only after planning
❍ Easy Assemble permission has been granted.
Customised Andrea Hirsch from Lower Shaw Farm presented the flag to the Peatmoor eco-squad,
Decking Kits from left, Nathan Hoy, Lauren Hoard, Tina Mander, Robert Hannay, Jackson Price,
James Armstrong with deputy head Mel Brough, right, and TA Elaine Jackson
❍ Tanalised Timber
❍ Pergolas, Arbours
& Gazebos
❍ Decorative
Aggregates
❍ Ornamental
Fencing
Suppliers of Garden
6 Brindley Close Play equipment
Cheney Manor Ind Est
Swindon SN2 2YW Monday - Friday: 9am - 6pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
01793 488899

21 June 07 44 17/5/07, 3:29 pm