Green-fingered students to tell the story of Alice in Biodiversity Land
From Councillor Mrs Kate Wild, Cabinet Member for Community Services on 01 March 2010
Pupils from some of the senior schools in Solihull will be working with Solihull Council to design and build a special garden for this year’s Gardener’s World live show at the National Exhibition Centre.
The green-fingered students – from Park Hall Academy, Smiths Wood Sports College, Archbishop Grimshaw Catholic School, Kingshurst Academy and Grace Academy – will be supported by the Council’s Environmental Champions and a host of local professionals to create the garden, which will occupy a prime location at the show from 16-20 June.
The Champions have been given a 9 metre x 9 metre plot at the summer show, the contents of which will be designed and planned by pupils from all the schools involved.
Some of the older pupils involved will also get the chance to help with the physical build of the garden ahead of the show.
During the recent February half term break the first planning session took place over two days at the Grace Academy, which resulted in the theme of ‘Alice in Biodiversity Land’ being set for the garden.
The garden will help to mark International Year of Biodiversity and is influenced by the students’ enthusiasm for the imaginative themes suggested by the new ‘Alice in Wonderland’ film.
This first session saw a host of initial plans for the garden being drawn up by the pupils, along with the creation of some mosaic stepping stones representing the seven steps to biodiversity, which were sculpted with the help of professional artist Karen Wydler.
The two planning days also allowed students to meet the professionals who will provide a wide range of help including funding, building, sourcing plants, storage and transport. These groups include the Royal Horticultural Society, Solihull Council, Ringway, Enterprise, Sustain and Steve Fisher Landscapes
Councillor Mrs Kate Wild, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “This garden is a wonderful project that will bring together lots of the borough’s young people and give them some great experience of working with professionals to make their plans a reality. They will also hopefully have a lot of fun!
“I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in securing a place at the show and also to all those professionals who are so kindly helping us make the garden what the children want it to be. I can’t wait to see how it looks once the show starts!”
After the show has closed its doors on 20 June, the Champions’ garden will find a permanent home in the north of the borough, which will not only allow residents to enjoy it beyond the life of the show, but is also in keeping with the themes of biodiversity and sustainability.
Anyone with horticultural experience who would like to be involved in building the garden should contact Trish Willetts, Environmental Champions co-ordinator, on 0121 704 6534 or email pwilletts@solihull.gov.uk
For media enquiries only, contact Dave Musson on 0121 704 6136
Email: dmusson@solihull.gov.uk