By Duncan Bick

Last updated at 16:22, Friday, 20 July 2012

William Howard School’s Open Spaces Group invited the community in to see the fruit – and veg – of its labours.

Project leader Liz Booker with pupils David Gummersall, Joseph Dent, Emma Atkinson and Robyn Falder

The group has been going at the school since 2010, when it took over a patch of waste ground.

Members have since transformed it into an environmental haven.

The spot is used for growing vegetables, fruit and flowers. Alongside this, it is also home to animal life including hens, ducks, rabbits and guinea pigs.

Visitors were given tours of the garden by Liz Booker, the school’s sustainability officer, who has led the project since its inception, and pupils.

Around 75 people turned up for the event, where there were stands selling produce from the garden, as well as a cake stall and a jam-tasting table.

Visitors had the chance to handle the animals and to try their luck in a raffle.

The day also marked a celebration as the group planted an apple tree from nearby Tarn Road Nurseries.

Creating the green space involved moving two tonnes of top soil and then the same quantity of weeds, tree roots and building debris. This was all done either after school or in break times by pupil volunteers.

And they didn’t have to wait long before they were rewarded for their efforts – just the following year they picked up the top award of a green flag from the Eco Schools project, which encourages sustainability projects in education.

The volunteers do not use artificial chemicals on the plants and the garden has wheelchair access.

Lorrayne Hughes, headteacher, said the project was a huge success, valued by both pupils and staff.

First published at 15:40, Friday, 20 July 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk