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Post by 4pygmies on Oct 1, 2008 16:00:09 GMT 1
I'm not - the children are though - it's such a pleasure to see how much they all enjoy it. It's so sad that so many don't have access to nature and growing things..... I am going to suggest that the school starts a Nature table I think. We always used to have one in the school entrance when I was a kid. I saw an article in one of Mum's posh magazines about it and realised how long it is since I've seen one in a school.......
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Post by karenwl on Oct 1, 2008 16:18:08 GMT 1
We were trying to get a school to have a plot on our allotment but i dont think it will go ahead, i also think its a good idea and was prepared to oversee things but unfortunatly it will not be going ahead, they said that they cant take the risk of someone getting hurt and a lot of the old plot holders are against it, boring old ----, I WILL KEEP ON TRYING they can have a plot at the bottom near mine and would be out of the way looks like a no go.
Shame it would of been good.
Ive got to have a meeting with some of the teachers soon to discuss what we are going to do with the raised beds.
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Post by madonplants on Oct 1, 2008 16:23:50 GMT 1
I'm not - the children are though - it's such a pleasure to see how much they all enjoy it. It's so sad that so many don't have access to nature and growing things..... I am going to suggest that the school starts a Nature table I think. We always used to have one in the school entrance when I was a kid. I saw an article in one of Mum's posh magazines about it and realised how long it is since I've seen one in a school....... They are only enjoying it, because they have a good teacher!! OK? ? It sounds like a much better environment there, so hope for good things to come from it. What ages are they, same as before? |
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Post by 4pygmies on Oct 1, 2008 16:37:36 GMT 1
Yes, ages from 5 through to 10 I think. This group seem to know a bit too so that's always good. Quite a few grow vegetables and have allotments with their parents too. I expect because this village is much more rural in many ways than the other one, it's not a small village but seems to have retained its character more somehow. One girl thought a quince was a baby pepper! (Still at least she knew what a pepper was.......)  |
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Post by elsie on Oct 1, 2008 19:07:20 GMT 1
I think it is really great what you are doing 4P ;D
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Post by 4pygmies on Oct 3, 2008 15:41:41 GMT 1
Not really Gardening Club but related to what I do - 3 of my clients left the group at Ecotech today so their Manager came for the morning, to introduce a new client and to make sure there was no upset (one of them is quite sad that she is finishing). He make me laugh though as he and the support worker were enjoying themselves more than the clients! We took root cuttings of Comfrey and made a roof for our wildlife tower out of rhubarb leaves and willow withies and they were really grilling me about it all ;D It is such good fun. I am working 2 extra sessions next week to cover for colleagues so I shall be doing lots of work in the organic garden. What a lovely job I've got!  |
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Post by floweringcherry on Oct 3, 2008 15:47:36 GMT 1
Not really Gardening Club but related to what I do - 3 of my clients left the group at Ecotech today so their Manager came for the morning, to introduce a new client and to make sure there was no upset (one of them is quite sad that she is finishing). He make me laugh though as he and the support worker were enjoying themselves more than the clients! We took root cuttings of Comfrey and made a roof for our wildlife tower out of rhubarb leaves and willow withies and they were really grilling me about it all ;D It is such good fun. I am working 2 extra sessions next week to cover for colleagues so I shall be doing lots of work in the organic garden. What a lovely job I've got! It really sounds as if you are enjoying it 4P. I'm so pleased for you. ;D |
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Post by 4pygmies on Oct 3, 2008 15:51:51 GMT 1
Thanks FC! It's great isn't it?? Every town should have an Ecotech.......  |
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Post by Sleepy on Oct 3, 2008 15:52:43 GMT 1
Thanks FC! It's great isn't it?? Every town should have an Ecotech....... How about some photos 4P? |
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Post by 4pygmies on Oct 3, 2008 15:56:16 GMT 1
I don't think I'm allowed sadly.....I'll ask Sheila, my boss. The Ecotech web site is really poor - very dull - I think they need a new one Sleepy!  www.ecotech.org.uk |
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Post by Sleepy on Oct 3, 2008 15:58:55 GMT 1
I don't think I'm allowed sadly.....I'll ask Sheila, my boss. The Ecotech web site is really poor - very dull - I think they need a new one Sleepy! www.ecotech.org.ukI'd gladly take on the work  The photos can be just of the site and not include the clients |
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Post by madonplants on Oct 3, 2008 16:06:10 GMT 1
Not really Gardening Club but related to what I do - 3 of my clients left the group at Ecotech today so their Manager came for the morning, to introduce a new client and to make sure there was no upset (one of them is quite sad that she is finishing). He make me laugh though as he and the support worker were enjoying themselves more than the clients! We took root cuttings of Comfrey and made a roof for our wildlife tower out of rhubarb leaves and willow withies and they were really grilling me about it all ;D It is such good fun. I am working 2 extra sessions next week to cover for colleagues so I shall be doing lots of work in the organic garden. What a lovely job I've got! Doesn't sound like work at all, does it? It's nice to actually enjoy your work, isn't it? |
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Post by 4pygmies on Oct 3, 2008 16:06:52 GMT 1
I am quite certain you could make it far better and more interesting but they are a funny lot, the people who run it, and might get a bit touchy if I suggest their website isn't good enough......I might when I know them better though!
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Post by 4pygmies on Oct 22, 2008 16:49:38 GMT 1
Gardening Club was a real pleasure from start to finish today - the sun was shining, the children were lovely and we got down and dirty! I took some bin liners in and sent them off the collect leaves from the playing fields, which all children love to do don't they? But first I upended a bag full of last years leaves into the wheelbarrow I had at home and we had a real good broggle in the half rotted leaves and stuff. They really enjoyed it - worms, centipedes, millipedes and some unidentified eggs and peculiar bits and pieces. Then we spread it all over the raised bed. I am really enjoying this group of children - they are much more informed and are obviously doing more at home than at the last school. It makes a real difference I think. If you want to do one thing with your kids outdoors this weekend - fill some bags with leaves, make a few drainage holes in the bottom and tuck them away in a corner of your garden. Leave them over the winter and then have a good look next Spring. It's fascinating. |
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Post by floweringcherry on Oct 22, 2008 16:58:57 GMT 1
Gardening Club was a real pleasure from start to finish today - the sun was shining, the children were lovely and we got down and dirty! I took some bin liners in and sent them off the collect leaves from the playing fields, which all children love to do don't they? But first I upended a bag full of last years leaves into the wheelbarrow I had at home and we had a real good broggle in the half rotted leaves and stuff. They really enjoyed it - worms, centipedes, millipedes and some unidentified eggs and peculiar bits and pieces. Then we spread it all over the raised bed. I am really enjoying this group of children - they are much more informed and are obviously doing more at home than at the last school. It makes a real difference I think. If you want to do one thing with your kids outdoors this weekend - fill some bags with leaves, make a few drainage holes in the bottom and tuck them away in a corner of your garden. Leave them over the winter and then have a good look next Spring. It's fascinating. It sound like a good time was had by all ;D I remember my 3rd year infant teacher used to take us to her garden. We did pond dipping and discovered nature. It is so important for children to be shown what is around them at an early age imo. Well done 4P |
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Post by madonplants on Oct 22, 2008 17:15:10 GMT 1
You are just a big kid at heart yourself, aren't you 4P?? Well done, sounds like a much better school than the last one. |
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Post by 4pygmies on Oct 23, 2008 8:12:50 GMT 1
Thank you everyone but it's the children who are the real stars! We are all big kids at heart aren't we? Or we should be - if you can't find your inner child, you are in a sad state! Mine just happens to be quite close to the surface....... I believe that our inner child is what gives us the most pleasure and joy in life - throughout our lives, that's why grandchildren are such a treasure - they give us a second chance to unleash it. Many people lose the mechanisms that make us happy - being a grown up is not necessarily a bundle of laughs. That's why learning to appreciate the natural world and maintaining that simple emotional reaction to its marvels is sooo important. Shutting up now! |
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Post by madonplants on Oct 23, 2008 10:01:59 GMT 1
Thank you everyone but it's the children who are the real stars! We are all big kids at heart aren't we? Or we should be - if you can't find your inner child, you are in a sad state! Mine just happens to be quite close to the surface....... I believe that our inner child is what gives us the most pleasure and joy in life - throughout our lives, that's why grandchildren are such a treasure - they give us a second chance to unleash it. Many people lose the mechanisms that make us happy - being a grown up is not necessarily a bundle of laughs. That's why learning to appreciate the natural world and maintaining that simple emotional reaction to its marvels is sooo important. Shutting up now! Don't you dare!! |
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Post by mickthecactus on Oct 23, 2008 10:04:36 GMT 1
Thank you everyone but it's the children who are the real stars! We are all big kids at heart aren't we? Or we should be - if you can't find your inner child, you are in a sad state! Mine just happens to be quite close to the surface....... I believe that our inner child is what gives us the most pleasure and joy in life - throughout our lives, that's why grandchildren are such a treasure - they give us a second chance to unleash it. Many people lose the mechanisms that make us happy - being a grown up is not necessarily a bundle of laughs. That's why learning to appreciate the natural world and maintaining that simple emotional reaction to its marvels is sooo important. Shutting up now! What a philosopher you are 4P.... |
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Post by 4pygmies on Oct 23, 2008 19:01:42 GMT 1
Erm...don't think soo - motor mouth many might say though..... |
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Post by 4pygmies on Nov 7, 2008 17:25:26 GMT 1
Eco club is over for me for the time being as I now have to work Wednesdays too  I had a chat with the teacher this morning and the school has decided that they are not going for an allotment because of 'village politics', whatever that means......once again we are going to be incredibly restricted in the numbers and scale of the work we can do due to lack of space and lack of input...I simply don't understand it - other schools manage this sort of thing. He seemed to think buying a few more planters would suffice......I shan't give up but I despair....why can't anyone have the balls to think big and go for it?? Either your school is committed to all things green or you are just tinkering with it, and therefore not reaching all those you could reach...they can manage to organise the pupils going 15 miles every week for swimming lessons but not a two minute walk up the road to the allotments.............it's shortsighted IMO and simply not going to achieve anything really worthwhile, not until this area becomes a proper part of every schools curriculum.  |
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Post by mickthecactus on Nov 7, 2008 17:29:42 GMT 1
Sorry to hear that 4P. By and large, schools disappoint me. They could do so much better.
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Post by floweringcherry on Nov 7, 2008 17:44:49 GMT 1
What a shame to waste using allotments when they are right on the doorstep. The children would get so much out of it.
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Post by emseypop on Nov 7, 2008 18:37:01 GMT 1
Sorry you've been disappointed again 4p Village politics ehh? Is there a long waiting list maybe? |
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Post by 4pygmies on Nov 7, 2008 18:40:53 GMT 1
No, there are quite a few unused ones.....they are 200ft long too...I wanted to divide one into six, one for each year group and let them grow whatever they wanted. It would have been hard work I know but very good for the children. And very good for the village too. A chance for all ages to get involved too - lots of the older retired men have lotties up there, some have been there for decades. Shame innit?
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? 
I had a chat with the teacher this morning and the school has decided that they are not going for an allotment because of 'village politics', whatever that means......once again we are going to be incredibly restricted in the numbers and scale of the work we can do due to lack of space and lack of input...I simply don't understand it - other schools manage this sort of thing. He seemed to think buying a few more planters would suffice......I shan't give up but I despair....why can't anyone have the balls to think big and go for it?? Either your school is committed to all things green or you are just tinkering with it, and therefore not reaching all those you could reach...they can manage to organise the pupils going 15 miles every week for swimming lessons but not a two minute walk up the road to the allotments.............it's shortsighted IMO and simply not going to achieve anything really worthwhile, not until this area becomes a proper part of every schools curriculum. 