School’s garden is green to go

11:16am Monday 5th May 2008

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GREEN-FINGERED youngsters at a North Yorkshire primary school have received £3,000 to help their garden grow.

The 140 pupils at Cawood Primary School have wanted to set up a nature garden and bog area at their school for some time.

Now, thanks to a £3,000 award from Northern Green Networks, an environmental sponsorship awards scheme run by gas pipeline company Northern Gas Networks, they can do just that.

The school is one of 15 groups and organisations to share £50,000 from the awards scheme for 2007.

Head teacher Andrew Smith was on hand to receive the cheque from Selby Labour MP John Grogan.

Mr Smith said: "I'm very grateful to Northern Gas Network for the donation.

"The money came about through one of our parents who has a link with Northern Gas networks.

"The company tries to support local community groups and as part of that we put in a bid to get some money to help set up a wild life area with a bog garden.

"We have a school garden and we have a gardening club which meets on a lunchtime.

"We are going to work with other community groups to help make the bog garden."

Mr Smith said an area had been set aside at the school for the work to get under way.

The £3,000 grant will be spent on building a greenhouse, installing water barrels, creating a bog garden and a wild flower meadow and Year 6 children will be developing planning schemes later in the year.

The project aims to raise the awareness of sustainable development within the school, encouraging the children to act as ambassadors in caring for the environment.

The school takes great pride in its outdoor space. Last year The Press reported how they received a donation from the Friends Of Cawood Primary School - its parent-teacher association - for £1,000 to fund five benches.

One was marked in memory of Freda Mills, a long-time friend and governor at the school and her daughter, Jane Wye, attended unveiling ceremony.

Mr Smith said: "The benches are great for children who don't want to run around the playground, but want to sit and read, or draw, or talk with their friends."