Beckley youngsters plant for the future

To mark ‘Get Kids Growing Day’, part of the RHS’s National Gardening Week (16-22 April), the youngsters got their hands dirty and planted out their first row of potatoes, some flower seeds and a wigwam of sweet peas. This is the first time that the pre-schoolers have had access to an outdoor space in which they can plant and grow vegetables, fruit and flowers.

The new garden which features three raised beds, one each for vegetables, flowers and fruit, has been built by staff and parents over the winter months. It will be maintained by the children and staff from Beckley Preschool and will be freely accessible to everyone.

The Beckley Village Hall Committee contributed some of the funds needed to complete the garden and local company AHS Ltd (Northiam) supplied the bark for the paths.

The parents of this year’s school leavers have donated three fruit trees – a pear, apple and a plum – which can be enjoyed by lots of future Beckley Preschoolers.

Beckley Preschool Team Leader Sarah Wyatt said: “Children are fascinated by nature and love to watch things grow.

“Over the coming weeks and months we are hoping to harvest some strawberries, peas straight from the pod and eventually some apples, pears and plums as well as a few flowers and herbs.

“The children will benefit enormously from the garden and we are very grateful to the Beckley Village Hall Committee for letting us use the space. All we need now is some sunshine and a couple of benches for the children to sit on and admire their handy work!”