Community School Garden

For more info contact: garden@ssb.org.uk

Click here to access SSB Project management documents

Click here to access relevant SSB Policy documents’

SSB approached the Primary School in 2009 with the idea of creating a productive vegetable garden on the school site which would be supported and run by volunteers from both the school and the wider community.

Beginning as a lunchtime club, the gardening quickly became part of the school curriculum, giving all the children chance to participate in planting, tending, harvesting and eating their own organically grown produce. The fruit and vegetables are used in the school lunches, and excess produce is sold to raise funds.

The garden now consists of several large raised beds in a safely fenced area, a large potting shed and productive fruit trees – there is still space to include more aspects within the garden. Volunteers of all ages from 2-72 have worked in the garden, and the school use the space as a resource for other subjects such as Science and Art on a daily basis.

As well as collaborating with the school on a number of projects connected with sustainability, wildlife and food, we are embarking on our ninth year of regular gardening sessions. We work with several groups of children each week from every class, as well as providing extra trips and events for the elected eco-reps.

We actively welcome new volunteers – either for “one-off” events, or with time to commit to more frequent gardening. Those with no gardening knowledge are just as welcome as the experts – the intention of the project is very much that it gives everyone a chance to experiment and learn as we go along. If you are interested in working in the garden (either at weekends or during the school sessions), fundraising, cooking, eating, outdoor crafts or sitting under the apple trees with a piece of cake and a cup of tea looking at the view of Dartmoor – please get in touch – we’d love to hear your ideas.

For further information please contact Helen Hall on 01364 72141 or email her on garden@ssb.org.uk