Royal Horticultural Show recycled for Rock Ferry

Published by Roisin Rowley-Smith for Riverside in Environment and also in Communities, Education, Housing

Horticultural specialists are developing a school garden in Wirral using recycled materials from the Tatton Park Royal Horticultural Show.

Pupils at St Anne’s Primary School in Rock Ferry are set to benefit from a project led by landlord Riverside to spruce up their garden. They are using reclaimed timber, to create a pergola and planters, as well as recycled plants, stones and galvanised steel for seating, worth around £1,200.

The project forms part of a £450,000 Big Lottery Fund scheme to green up neighbourhoods in Tranmere and Rock Ferry, spearheaded by Riverside with local gardening specialists Green Apprentices carrying out the work.

Last year, children from the school took part in a project to redesign their garden, offering up ideas, which they are now putting into practice under the watchful eye of the gardening team.

Sian Martin-Baez, regeneration officer from Riverside said: “We are working with schools and community groups to get more and more people interested in the outdoors to connect with their land. From tending their own allotments, to helping to develop community gardens, people are reaping the health and welfare benefits of green initiatives.”

Children from Year Six made a start on planting seasonal bedding plants and perennials to create a colourful spring display.
Ian Jones of Green Apprentices commented: “Our partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society is proving a real asset to the community. Re-using material from show gardens can result in high quality displays with instant impact, as well as saving cash in the cost of timber, stone and plants. Wirral’s Heartwood Tree Services also donated recycled tree logs to build a mini beast insect habitat in the garden.”

Rachel Crisp, Head teacher at St. Anne’s added: “Not only have our Year Six cherished enhancing our outdoor environment, the rest of the children in school are eager to work on developing the area further. We thank all who have been involved for their time, effort and support. They have left us with a valuable educational resource for the whole community to enjoy."