GREEN-fingered youngsters are preparing to live the Good Life in style – after being given their own allotment on a historic countryside estate.
The young gardeners will tend the special vegetable plot at 4,000-acre Meldon Park in Northumberland after being invited in by Emily and James Cookson, whose family has owned the rambling estate since 1832.
Cabbages, sprouts, broccoli, carrots, peas and other vegetables harvested by the pupils from Chantry Middle School in Morpeth will be donated to a local charity which helps young people with housing problems.
Every Friday afternoon the 12 and 13-year-olds leave school to work on the allotment and hone their gardening skills, under the guidance of teacher Lisa Elliott, Chantry’s head of design technology.
The produce will be handed over to Morpeth-based Barnabas Safe and Sound, who will use it in cookery classes to help young homeless people learn to look after themselves and become more independent. The charity supports young adults who are experiencing a housing crisis or leaving local authority care.
Mr and Mrs Cookson, who run the Kitchen Garden Cafe business at Meldon Park, seven miles west of Morpeth, invited the school to take over a spare piece of land on the estate, and have provided the youngsters with seeds and equipment.
Mrs Cookson said: “We thought this was a great way of educating pupils about healthy eating, and introducing them to fresh produce at a young age.
“We’re thrilled that Barnabas Safe and Sound, a hugely important charity that does so much vital work for homeless young people, will also benefit from this project. As a mother of three myself, it’s lovely to see the pupils taking such an interest in managing the plot.
“They’re planning out the plot and deciding which fruit and vegetables to grow, and are responsible for weeding and managing the area so it also gives them the chance to be active outdoors in the fresh air.”
The pupils are working on their allotment during a weekly off-timetable afternoon when they take part in a range of personal development activities.
Lisa Elliott said: “Having the vegetable plot is a fantastic project to be involved in because it’s relevant to such a wide range of subjects on the curriculum, including design technology, science, maths and food.
“The children will take control and manage the land, and it will provide them with a sense of ownership and responsibility.”
Chris Menzies, manager of Barnabas Safe and Sound, which is based in Dark Lane, Morpeth, said: “This is a fantastic project and we’re delighted to benefit from locally grown produce. It will be a fun challenge for our residents to learn new recipes centred on seasonal, fresh produce.”
