GARDENING is not usually a hobby that many would associate with the word student, but students at Carr Hill have been happy to get their hands dirty.
The allotment has become a hub of activity in recent months with many students spending their lunchtimes and after school working hard to turn the allotment into a garden of colour and home grown produce.
So far the students who attend the Gardening Club have planted leeks, peas, onions and garlic and have got plenty of other vegetables in the pipeline to be planted in the near future.
The benefits of the allotment are also being enjoyed by a group of students who are taking the BTEC WorkSkills qualification. The qualification builds on teamwork between the students and teaches them vital knowledge and skills needed in a working environment that are attractive to potential employers.
The group have been spending lessons out working in the garden, to weed and prepare the soil for planting a variety of new gardens in the allotment which will be themed in the six college colours.
With the assistance of Mr Beale, Mrs Griffiths and the students at Gardening Club the colourful flowers and plants will soon be planted in the gardens and will hopefully be flowering by the end of the summer holidays.
However, without water the plants wouldn’t be able to grow. A donation recently received by Polytank in Freckleton has given the allotment the use of a water tank that collects its water from the falling rain and the students’ have been making the most of their new facility.
English teacher, Mrs Griffiths is a keen gardener herself and there is nothing she enjoys more than being out in her garden.
She said: “The aim of the garden is to have it full of different plants. We have seeds ready to plant the meadow and have bulbs to plant a woodland hedge.
“I’m mad on birds so I’d love to be able to attract some of those into the garden, along with insects, butterflies and other wildlife. We might even be able to do a bit of conservation!”
In the past students have had sightings of a hedgehog and the gardening club are looking to build a hedgehog habitat in the hope of attracting some more.
Year 7 student, Brett Chamberlain has been attending the club since he started school in September.
He said: “I really enjoy going to Gardening Club so I spend a lot of time here.
“I’ve helped plant different things since coming up to the garden and I’ve learnt how important it is to keep the flowers watered to help them grow. So one of the main things I do when I’m here at lunch is making sure that they have all been watered.”
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