M&G garden donates to south London school
3 June 2011
After being enjoyed by millions of people, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show gardens go on living. M&G Investments, the official sponsor of the show, has just transported 16 large raised beds and a selection of plants from its show garden, designed by Bunny Guinness, to Christ Church CofE Primary School, in South London.
The massive 4m by 2m (13ft by 7ft) raised beds, made from beautiful intertwined willow, were central to this year’s garden and will feature in an extended area of the Christ Church CofE Primary school garden to grow food for the school and local community.
Colette Morris, Head Mistress of the school, said: ‘We are thrilled! We've secured funding for the additional garden space in the local Falcon Estate to give our children the opportunity to acquire the skills for growing fruit and vegetables on a larger scale. Being donated these large, fantastic beds and some of the plants really helps. Having a school garden has helped the children gain an understanding to why we garden plus the positive impact it has on the environment.'
She adds, 'it’s hugely appropriate - as well as learning about science and the environment, it also teaches them crucial life skills, such as working together in a fun, practical and exciting way. We opened our school garden a year ago and the children have taken ownership of transforming it into the fabulous learning environment it is now. These additional beds, kindly donated by M&G, will make it even better. It’s a magical place as most children don’t have access to this sort of personal space at home.’
Bunny Guinness, designer of The M&G Garden said: ‘I’m delighted the children can share the joy of gardening. I hope they enjoy learning about growing their own vegetables.’
Christ Church CofE School is part of the RHS Campaign for School Gardening which encourages and supports schools across the UK to have a garden. Over 13 000 schools have joined the scheme. A recent RHS survey has shown that gardening boosts a child’s development.
Jim Bliss, RHS Campaign for Schools Advisor, said: ‘With these beautiful raised beds, the garden is going to be a truly fantastic place for the children to learn about growing plants. One of the best parts of my role is being able to help them develop their school gardens.’
Jacqui Haskins, Marketing Director for M&G Investments, said: ‘We’re pleased that we have been able find a very worthy home for some of the plants in our garden. They have been a huge hit at Chelsea this year, and will continue to be enjoyed by the pupils of Christ Church CofE Primary School.’
In 2010, 99.6% of waste from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show was recycled with the remaining 0.4% being converted to energy. Each garden recycles, relocates or donates material to charitable organisations wherever possible. For example, materials from the B&Q garden will be donated to Capital Growth, which aims to help Londoners transform the city by creating 2 012 new food-growing spaces by the end of 2012. The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) garden will form a central part of the outdoor space at the RNIB Pears Centre for Specialist Learning, to be enjoyed day after day by young people with complex needs and sight problems.
As well as giving the beds and plants to Christ Church CofE School, M&G has also donated fruit and vegetables to the Royal Hospital Chelsea.