Friday 27th June 2008
(ref:
190/2008)
A staggering one million school children have never been to the countryside - that was the lesson learned at the recent Food North West Conference at Wigan’s JJB Stadium.
Using this information – and the fact that many thousands of young people have no idea where there food comes from – Wigan Council’s environmental education team are determined to bring nature back to the classroom for all borough school children.
Next week they are in Leigh, with pupils actually planting their own gardens to grow their own fruit and veg.
Councillor Sue Loudon, Cabinet champion for Children and Young People says:
”I am so pleased to see local schools getting involved in planning the work for produce they can turn into food. The young people will be learning valuable lessons about organic food and how things grow. I hope it inspires them to encourage their families to ‘grow their own’ food in the garden at home.”
Three schools in Westleigh have recently benefited from £10,000 funding from the Trees Community Board. The board awarded part of their Neighbourhood Renewal Funds to the project. Council officers have been in the school to involve the young people with the eco project of their choice.
Nick Burdekin, the council’s eco education co-ordinator, adds:
“We’re teaching our youngsters where their food comes from and that eating pesticide-free, locally produced food is much healthier and tastier for them and better for the environment. We’re giving them projects to select and develop, and supporting them in it.”
All the schools will be given a harvest chart showing when the crops that they have been given can be harvested and also a recipe book to give them ideas of what to cook with the crops that the pupils have grown.
The children from Westleigh St. Paul's are very enthusiastic about this exciting addition to their nature area, as headteacher, Jill Hankinson, explains:
"The children have learned so much already from working with a professional gardener when planting the seeds, and are excited to watch the crops grow."
“Having a natural space like this in an area with few green spaces will give the children a better understanding of food and farming, and we are thrilled to have been involved with the project."
Cllr Loudon adds:
“I, along with my Ward colleagues Cllrs. Turnock and Aldred, have been involved with the Trees Community Board for a few years now and I would like to thank them for backing this idea so enthusiastically.”
Note to editors
For more information, please contact Nick Burdekin on 01942 488222.
