Maggi Brown
It all began with a phone call, early in 1999. One very ordinary day I found myself talking to the administrator of the JJ Charitable Trust. The trustees wanted to encourage school pupils to participate in practical gardening activities, using organic methods. They wanted pupils to understand more about plants, how they grew, and the benefits of organic gardening methods. In order to achieve this, they were asking us to set up a Network of schools throughout the UK, and help them to start gardens. Schools had been desparate for such a scheme for years, but these projects cost money to run properly. Suddenly, we were being offered funding. How could we refuse?
In January 2000, after much planning and discussion, and recruiting a Co-ordinator, HDRA set up the Schools’ Organic Network. Its remit was to encourage and support schools to set up gardens in their grounds, where pupils could take part in practical gardening schemes. We would give them the advice and information they needed to start a garden from scratch, and grow vegetables, flowers, herbs, fruit, whatever they wanted. The aim was to get those pupils out into the garden, discovering its benefits and delights.
We suspected that it would work, but we had no idea how successful it would be. Now, with over 1000 member schools, and the current focus on children’s eating habits, it is clear just how valuable this project has been, and will continue to be.
After three very successful years, JJ Charitable Trust decided to move on and Duchy Originals took over as funders of the project. With the present focus on healthy eating needs, and the delight children of all ages find in growing and eating their own crops, we anticipate continued success with this project.
Our thanks must go to the JJ Charitable Trust trustees, whose generous funding made this all possible.
And it all started with a phone call.
The story continues……
In January 2005 Colette Bond took over management of the Duchy Originals Garden Organic for Schools project as part of her role as Head of Education
for HDRA.
Her background is in education and she has worked as a primary school teacher
in the UK and in Finland. She says,
“In my experience the sheer delight children experience at growing their
own vegetables or flowers makes this a wonderful project to have become involved
with. The project continues to educate children on growing, tasting and knowing
about vegetables. It aims to help schools manage their garden areas using organic
methods as well as promoting the benefits of exercising and healthy living.”
It also continues to be popular with schools and the total number of schools
involved had reached almost 1500 in August 2005.
Duchy Originals continue to support the project and it keeps going from strength
to strength.
