Plastic bottle greenhouse at Southbourne

Tuppenny Barn Organics, run by Maggie Haynes, launched its recycled plastic bottle structure made using 1,500 two-litre bottles.

Pupils from Lyndhurst Junior School, Portsmouth, who collected the majority of the bottles were invited to see the finished building, which will used to harden off tender plants.

Mrs Haynes said: “It was really nice because the children got to make three of the sides and the building will be fully-functioning. We had a formal opening where the children cut the ribbon and then they helped plant some artichokes in the field.”

The project, which promotes a more eco-friendly way of living to people of all ages has also received a boost for its sustainable building project.

It received planning permission last year to build a straw bale building which will be an educational centre where Maggie and her team will be able to give talks and workshops to schoolchildren across the area.

Tuppenny Barn, which is now a recognised not-for-profit social enterprise, has also received a triple boost after being awarded three grants which will aid its work.

It received £5,000 from Chichester Harbour Conservancy’s sustainable development fund, and at the end of last month was told it was getting a whopping £25,000 from the economic development department at Chichester District Council.

In addition, the project was also awarded £5,000 from the Utilise programme for renewable energy which will go towards buying rockwool insulation for the straw bale building.

Mrs Haynes said she was very pleased with the grants but said there was still a lot of fundraising work still to be done and urged people across the community to support them by a sponsoring a straw bale, a programme which was launched last year.

“We have been delighted with those three grants. It is such a difficult time to raise money for builds but we feel that what we are doing is about the future, teaching people about the environment and in a gentle way, what they can do to green their lifestyles.

“We’ve had lots of local support which is great and we are also applying for other grants.”

To sponsor a straw bale see www.tuppennybarn.com or call 07977 536 684.