Darras Hall First School puplis warm to their garden task

Jul 13 2010 by Amy Hunt, The Journal

GREEN-FINGERED pupils have completed their new wildlife garden in time for summer.

Children from Darras Hall First School in Ponteland worked with volunteers from Northumberland Wildlife Trust.

The project started in early January and has been a labour of love for both volunteers and pupils at the school.

The project’s aim was to create a great space to attract a variety of garden birds as well as damselflies and dragonflies and provide opportunities for the pupils to watch and learn about wildlife and life processes on their schools’ doorstep.

The volunteers created a wet area and circular woodchip path with overlooking benches, installed two raised flower beds and planted a hedge.

Once the groundwork had been completed, the Trust’s People and Wildlife Team set to work with a number of pupils from Year Four, planting bog plants and wildflower plugs, making bat boxes, bird feeders and a mini beast hotel.

There was also a two-day classroom session in which Year Four pupils were asked to think about the types of wildlife they would like to attract into the garden together with recognising the importance of providing food, water and shelter for animals.

Matthew Poole, from Northumberland Wildlife Trust, led the volunteers who worked on the project. He said: “When the project started there was snow on the ground. Now that the weather is hot and the plants are starting to grow, it makes all our efforts seem worthwhile.”

Teacher Bruce Glendinning said: “We are all very excited about the project and look forward to using the wildlife area to its full potential for activities across the curriculum for a great many years to come.”

Northumberland Wildlife Trust is the largest environmental charity in the region working to safeguard native wildlife. One of 47 Wildlife Trusts across the UK, Northumberland Wildlife Trust has campaigned for nature conservation for over 40 years.

Supported by over 13,000 individual and 100 corporate members, Northumberland Wildlife Trust manages and protects species and habitats at more than 60 nature reserves in Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland.