Ermine Street pupils celebrate as Morris Homes support new allotments
- 20.12.2018
Pupils at Ermine Street Church Academy were celebrating yesterday, as the schools exciting new children’s allotment was officially opened after months of planning and preparation.
Children at the school, located on Swynford Road in Alconbury Weald, are now able to enjoy the new allotment after housebuilder Morris Homes helped to provide them with the sought-after green space, which will be used as both a recreation and education area, helping to inspire the children and teach them essential gardening skills such as how to choose the right plants and how to grow fruit and vegetables.
The allotment was officially opened last night by Ermine Street Church Academy Headteacher, Adrian Shepherd, who was accompanied by pupils, their parents and also representatives of Morris Homes who funded the project.
To ensure pupils at the school have felt part of the project from the outset, a naming competition was introduced to give the children the chance to name the new allotment themselves. Ermine Street Children’s Allotment was cast as the deciding name, merging several ideas and ensuring it incorporated the school’s initials.
Speaking about the opening of the new allotment, head teacher Mr Adrian Shepherd said:
“We know how excited the children have been to see the plans coming together and to watch the new green space taking shape. We know it will make a real difference to their free time but also, to their learning too. I want to say a big thank you to Morris Homes for their support in bringing this project to life.”
Speaking about their involvement in the project, Morris Homes Marketing Director, Penny Langton said,
“We are proud to be able to contribute to local communities and were very happy to fund this exciting allotment initiative for the children of Ermine Street Church Academy. Our development at Alconbury Weald is just down the road from the school, so we're sure plenty of Morris residents and their children will benefit from the facilities in the future."
Steph Burton, from the Urban&Civic Communities team, who works closely with the School, said:
“As Alconbury Weald is developing, we have a unique opportunity to create relationships and projects, where partners can work together to make a real difference. It is great to see Morris Homes working with the school to deliver the allotments which we hope will enable the children to learn all about growing food, local and seasonal produce and eating well.”