Christchurch Rotary Supports Green Projects at Burton Primary School

Christchurch Rotary Club was so impressed with the range of environmental projects being undertaken at Burton Primary School that the Club awarded the School £500 to support and extend these activities.

The School is also entering for the Rodney Huggins Environment Award 2009/10 - a Rotary competition to identify the best school and youth-group projects connected with the environment and having also some Rotary involvement.

Peter Assinder, the teacher responsible for this environmental work, said:

“We are now in our second year of running a gardening club at Burton Primary School. Last year we built a greenhouse out of recycled plastic bottles - and we also have a summer house provided by Sainsbury's. We have already collected many seeds from the plants we grew. We also have a number of water butts ready to use. The Rotary funding will enable us to:

1) Kit out the greenhouse with shelving etc.

2) Acquire materials in order to build a cold frame.

3) Install guttering for the greenhouse and summerhouse (for the water butts).

4) If and when funds stretch far enough, provide power to the summer house via the sun!

“The plan is to grow seeds in our greenhouse, watered by rainwater from our butts; to use the cold frame to grow the seedlings on while frost is about; and to plant out the plants and later collect seeds from them - so that the cycle continues from year to year. We are using all these activities to teach the children about recycling and sustainability, as well as inspiring them with a greater appreciation of nature and of gardening. I am delighted with the enthusiasm that so many of them show!”

Christchurch Rotary Schools Liaison Officer Mary Reader said:

“We in Rotary have been very happy to support this work, both financially and with advice on some specific aspects. It is innovative, practical, and inspirational for the young people involved. Later in the year, when the plants are ready for harvest, I will bring a chef friend into school to give a cookery demonstration showing varied ways to use this fresh produce in creating delicious healthy meals. I wish the School all the very best in its bid for the Rotary Environmental award.”