|
|
Post by emseypop on Nov 7, 2008 18:54:49 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? It is a shame but......I have a vision of you and some albeit enthusiastic children struggling to till 200ft of land on your own.  I dont like the idea of that, I wouldn't like to see you worn to a frazzle, people take advantage of you generous spirit. |
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Nov 7, 2008 18:58:14 GMT 1
I wasn't planning on doing it single handed! I was hoping to get quite a few Dad's involved....ah well, I have these OTT plans but they never get off the ground....never mind. At least I have a chance to do something with the children at school still...I think the teacher has no idea how many large pots 20 + children need!
|
|
|
|
Post by madonplants on Nov 7, 2008 19:10:22 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.  Isn't tinkering better than nothing, 4P? It's sad to say, but gardening is well down on the list of priorities in schools. On Question Time last night, they were talking about bringing in home accounts into the school curriculum, where would that leave gardening?  |
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Nov 10, 2008 21:43:24 GMT 1
I'm afraid that tinkering simply isn't good enough, Keith...this is part of the reason we are failing to meet all our environmental targets...there isn't the political will or interest....and the vast majority of people in this country (and across the developed world) really love the wasteful, frivolous and unsustainable lifestyle we lead. I know I go on but if we don't have the will to teach our children to live a more environmentally friendly life there is very little hope for us. There are too many people in the world and not enough resources (to maintain our current lifestyle)....and if our children grow up not understanding that simple equation then we are failing them and failing all those peoples whose countries are being so badly affected by our refusal to acknowledge our responsibility and culpability. I know that might sound a bit OTT but we've got to start somewhere and I think educating the younger generation is as good a place as anywhere....an understanding of gardening and how plants, birds, insects etc interact is the very basic of beginnings, isn't it? A much more holistic approach in Primary/Junior schools covering the sciences and humanities would make an enormous difference....IMO
|
|
|
|
Post by mickthecactus on Nov 11, 2008 13:56:45 GMT 1
I'm afraid that tinkering simply isn't good enough, Keith...this is part of the reason we are failing to meet all our environmental targets...there isn't the political will or interest....and the vast majority of people in this country (and across the developed world) really love the wasteful, frivolous and unsustainable lifestyle we lead. I know I go on but if we don't have the will to teach our children to live a more environmentally friendly life there is very little hope for us. There are too many people in the world and not enough resources (to maintain our current lifestyle)....and if our children grow up not understanding that simple equation then we are failing them and failing all those peoples whose countries are being so badly affected by our refusal to acknowledge our responsibility and culpability. I know that might sound a bit OTT but we've got to start somewhere and I think educating the younger generation is as good a place as anywhere....an understanding of gardening and how plants, birds, insects etc interact is the very basic of beginnings, isn't it? A much more holistic approach in Primary/Junior schools covering the sciences and humanities would make an enormous difference....IMO Well said 4P. I'm with you 100%. However, there is cerianly much more interest in growing your own food so maybe, just maybe.... |
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Nov 11, 2008 15:55:58 GMT 1
You agree with me?? Not going on or being over philosophical then..... Gosh....
|
|
|
|
Post by mickthecactus on Nov 11, 2008 16:10:52 GMT 1
You agree with me?? Not going on or being over philosophical then..... Gosh.... No. Very eloquent.... |
|
|
|
Post by madonplants on Nov 11, 2008 16:51:10 GMT 1
I'm afraid that tinkering simply isn't good enough, Keith...this is part of the reason we are failing to meet all our environmental targets...there isn't the political will or interest....and the vast majority of people in this country (and across the developed world) really love the wasteful, frivolous and unsustainable lifestyle we lead. I know I go on but if we don't have the will to teach our children to live a more environmentally friendly life there is very little hope for us. There are too many people in the world and not enough resources (to maintain our current lifestyle)....and if our children grow up not understanding that simple equation then we are failing them and failing all those peoples whose countries are being so badly affected by our refusal to acknowledge our responsibility and culpability. I know that might sound a bit OTT but we've got to start somewhere and I think educating the younger generation is as good a place as anywhere....an understanding of gardening and how plants, birds, insects etc interact is the very basic of beginnings, isn't it? A much more holistic approach in Primary/Junior schools covering the sciences and humanities would make an enormous difference....IMO I know tinkering isn't good enough, Rafa has learnt that lesson, but surely tinkering leads to better things, hopefully, 4P? Don't forget, I'm on your side here!!  |
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Nov 11, 2008 17:00:58 GMT 1
I know you are Keith sugar...and tbh I am only tinkering aren't I? Albeit, doing a little bit more than most.....personally I think everyone who gardens should try a liitle bit harder to encourage others to join in..and their children/grandchildren especially....as Mick says if growing your own food doesn't do it for you, I dunno what else will......and so many people with gardens don't do anything but plant, primp and spray.....
|
|
|
|
Post by madonplants on Nov 11, 2008 17:05:23 GMT 1
I know you are Keith sugar...and tbh I am only tinkering aren't I? Albeit, doing a little bit more than most.....personally I think everyone who gardens should try a liitle bit harder to encourage others to join in..and their children/grandchildren especially....as Mick says if growing your own food doesn't do it for you, I dunno what else will......and so many people with gardens don't do anything but plant, primp and spray..... I grew up on home (well, big house) grown and it didn't do me any harm, did it? Don't answer that!! ;D If everyone did what you do, the world would be a better place and I'm not just saying that! |
|
|
|
Post by maggyd on Nov 11, 2008 17:38:43 GMT 1
My Son was showing me some pics of his half term holiday in France and there was some pics he had taken at School before they broke up  there was a big field with children crouched dotted all over I asked him what they were doing and he said they were each planting there own tree or shrub, I think they were about fourteen and fifteen year olds. I know I give all my Morrisons vouchers to him and he takes them to school as they are taking part in this scheme. |
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Nov 11, 2008 17:46:56 GMT 1
That's brilliant Maggyd! I know there are lots in individuals in individuals school doing good things but I think it should all be joined up and be a nationwide, curriculum based activity in all schools  |
|
|
|
Post by karenwl on Nov 20, 2008 18:31:27 GMT 1
Ive been asked by the tacher that is involved in the school gardening club if i can come in one afternoon next week to help show the children how to sow broad bean seeds so they can over winter them, ive said i would be glad 2 help.
Hopefully this is only the begining they have still got to get the raised beds filled yet.
|
|
|
|
Post by cheerypeabrain on Nov 20, 2008 19:32:23 GMT 1
 They're very lucky to have you Karen...I'm sure that you will enjoy it. Keep us posted!
|
|
|
|
Post by karenwl on Nov 22, 2008 21:47:58 GMT 1
I will let you know how it goes, ive never been this busy and i like it.
|
|
|
|
Post by karenwl on Nov 27, 2008 17:49:12 GMT 1
Well the beans are sown, i went in after work on tuesday and 32 children sowd some seeds.
We did this in small groups of about 6 at a time, i got them to put in the compost then make a hole put in the seed water them and put them into the mini greenhouse that i leant the school.
I was very suprised at how many of the children knew what to do, i tried to get them to use their hands to put the compost into the pots most did but a few prefered to use the trowels, some said we will get germs, my reply was well you wash your hands afterwards and will be ok.
I put my hands in the compost to break up the lumps and some that were a bit cautious soon got stuck in and got their hands dirty.
All in all it went very well and they really enjoyed it.
Karen
|
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Nov 27, 2008 17:51:29 GMT 1
That's great Karen! Isn't it rewarding? And don't they all absolutely love it?  |
|
|
|
Post by karenwl on Nov 27, 2008 18:17:55 GMT 1
That's great Karen! Isn't it rewarding? And don't they all absolutely love it? It is very rewarding, i just hope the seeds germinate but i did say to them that they might not all grow, they are going to plant some in the new raised beds and some in tubs around the school and some will be going home with the children. The hardest challenge will be getting the kids to try the beans when they have grown but you never know ;D One thing for sure im not eating the xmas cakes theyve just made no chance ;D |
|
I dont like the idea of that, I wouldn't like to see you worn to a frazzle, people take advantage of you generous spirit.
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. 
