Newsletter article for Grounds

Despite the freezing cold weather at present, work is proceeding steadily on our new "secret" wildlife-friendly garden. The old concrete greenhouse base has been broken up and the pieces will be re-used to provide seating and a dry-"stone" wall that will add habitat to the garden. An elliptical path has been constructed by reusing concrete slabs found on the site and the new front border and outside border have had their first digs ready for planting up in the spring. To add some height, two covered trellises will soon be installed which reuse some of the branches of a small tree that was cut down on the site. Some hardy shrubs have been donated already, including a buddleia, smoke bush, snowberry bush and Hebe and these will be planted as soon as conditions allow. Some daffodil bulbs were planted in the front border a few weeks ago and when the rest of the hard-landscaping has been completed over the next few months, we will be able to get the remaining plants into the ground ready for a spring and summer display. Members of the Eco-Schools Club recently put up bird feeders, insect houses and bird boxes in the garden, and judging by the speed with which the birds visited these, we are providing a much needed resource for the local wildlife.

This term, over 200 mixed daffodil bulbs were planted by members of the Eco-Schools Club amongst the new tree saplings planted last spring behind the sports hall. These young trees have had mixed success; about half are growing well but several have been eaten by rabbits. We will have to keep an eye on these and supplement them where necessary next year, ensuring that we use protection against rabbit damage. The trees planted at the front of the school two years ago are doing very well; despite their youth, several of the rowans flowered for the first time this year. Within 5 years, this area should be providing a whole new habitat for birds and insects, and all just a few yards from a road and the school entrance.

The herb garden and flower border designed and built by our Duke of Edinburgh volunteers have got off to flying starts. The herb garden near the entrance to the technology department has looked very healthy, and has thrived despite not being watered once the plants established themselves. The flower border near Learning Support has looked very good this autumn, with the dahlias and red-hot pokers particularly standing out. It bit of low-level maintenance for both these areas next spring should ensure another, even better, display next year. Our volunteers have started work on a new ornamental shrub border at the entrance to the Drama Studio and Swimming Pool, although progress has been slow due to wet and cold weather! After the recent cold weather, we are all looking forward to warmer spring weather!

By Mr Stokes