AGT Trustees needed

When Sally Walker asked me to think about becoming an AGT Trustee, my first reaction was that I didn't have time.  Eighteen months on and I'm glad that I changed my mind.  Yes, I'm even busier now than I was before, but it's a good and stimulating kind of busy that enriches my life in unexpected ways.  In the past month alone, I've met people and been introduced to projects that would otherwise have passed me by.

Recently, I represented the AGT at a meeting of the Plant Heritage Council.  From the AGT perspective it was helpful to see how much the interests of the two organisations overlap and how many concerns for the future of horticulture we share. But it was unexpectedly useful for me on a personal level too.

AGT Study Day at Studley Royal

The following day I travelled down to Devon for a work-related visit to Marwood Hill Gardens. http://www.marwoodhillgarden.co.uk/index.php I discovered that the Head Gardener (as the caretaker of three national plant collections) is involved with Plant Heritage in Devon.  Without doubt my understanding of the garden and its collection was deepened a s a result of the morning I'd spent with Plant Heritage in central London.

Once a quarter, I represent the AGT at GreenLINK meetings.  There's usually a 'knowledge share' slot which always teaches me something new.  This quarter, Dr Linda Davies from Imperial College gave a presentation on OPAL (Open Air Laboratories); a 5 year project that aims to get people engaged with nature by involving them in ecological research. http://www.geog.ucl.ac.uk/about-the-department/support-services/ucl-environmental-radiometric-facility/open-air-laboratories-opal The project has been running successfully for several years.  Over 600,000 people have been involved so far, 93% of whom have never been involved with environmental issues before.

We also heard from Bob Ivison of the National Contractors Forum, another organisation I knew nothing about.  He told us that contractors share many of our concerns for historic landscapes and the environment. They're keen to get involved: a source of help, support and advice that we might not have considered. http://www.iog.org/latest_news_and_media/articles_of_interest/Companies+in+the+Industry/profile_national_contractors_forum

Being a Trustee does take time but perhaps not as much as you might expect.  If you would like to make your already busy life even busier, but in a surprisingly productive way, why not contact our Chairman, Sally Walker at chairman@agt.org.uk ?

I haven't left enough space to write anything about the excellent Study Day at Studley Royal.  Something to put on the list for next month's blog!

As we approach the Jubilee weekend, have a look at 'A History of Royal Jubilees in Public Parks' by David Lambert. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/publications/jubilee-ation/jubilee-parks.pdf

Future gardeners

March was 'find out about Gardens Trusts and education' month.  What better place to start than the South West Area Education Conference where two speakers shared their enthusiasm for outdoor education.

Sue Palmer is the head of Farley Nursery in Hampshire.http://www.farleynurseryschool.com/  She provides daycare for children from six months to school-age.  Carla Thomas-Buffin runs an outdoor education programme at Sir Harold Hilliers' Garden for Hampshire's schools.http://www3.hants.gov.uk/hilliergardens/hilliers-keystages.htm  Both women are equally passionate about the need for children to be outside.

Sue asked us to recall our earliest happy childhood memory. It wasn't surprising to discover that Gardens Trust members happy memories involved being outside.  As Sue told us, we are at our happiest outside because that is where we are programmed to be. Sadly, many people in Britain today are no longer aware of this.

Sue's answer to the problem is to start young.  At her nursery even the babies spend as much time outside as possible.  They sleep in big Silver Cross prams while the older children play around them. Farley Nursery's children are so healthy and allergy-free that health-visitors in Salisbury recommend it to local families.

Without the restrictions of the curriculum, the amount of time Sue's children can spend outside is unlimited.  It becomes more difficult when they start school.  That is why education programmes like the one run by Sir Harold Hilliers' Garden are so valuable.

Carla is confident that, as a result of outdoor education schemes, the worrying gap in children's life experience is now being filled.  Her concern is for the generation in the middle, some of whom are young teachers.

Cairn of decorated pebbles

Emma Scholfield, the AGT's Education and Schools Co-ordinator, is often contacted by teachers who would like to provide their children with an experience of nature but don't know where to start.  She recently helped the Headmaster of a small village school in Kirkby on Bain and took me along to see the progress he's making.

Bug-hotel

All it took was a rough plan from Emma; financial help from the diocese and Lincolnshire Gardens Trust;  'hands-on' help from parents and then the garden was on its way.  By the time I visited, a glass-fronted composter and a bug-hotel were already in operation and newly built raised beds were ready for planting.  I loved the colourful cairn of decorated pebbles in the garden's centre; a pebble placed by each member of the school and to be added to by every newcomer for the rest of the school's life.

Next on the list was Gosberton House School; a school that caters for children who would struggle in mainstream education.  The large grounds are divided into smaller areas, each with their own character and purpose, but sufficiently enclosed that the children who use them feel safe.  It was a privilege to be shown around by two pupils who were so obviously benefiting from the outdoor learning activities provided by the school's dedicated staff. But it was during my visit to to Emma's husband's school (where she works part-time) that I experienced the effect that outdoor learning can have on an entire school.

I know what children sound like when they're sent outside after being inside for too long. It's a bit like shaking up a bottle of lemonade and then taking the lid off. The atmosphere at Boston West Primary was quite different. By the end of my afternoon there, the whole school was outside.  Yes, the children were busy and active but there was a wonderful sense of calm and happy contentment.  I was amazed and delighted to see children making things with piles of sticks.  No one was telling them to be careful.  There was no need.  These were children comfortable with being outside because it's what they do regularly.  It was a joy to see.

Emma has put an enormous amount of energy into developing children's activities at her school and has masses of ideas to share.  Do get in touch with her.

Incidentally, when I last spoke to Emma, a school and an old-people's home had contacted her to ask for help.  Both organisations had found her details in the AGT Yearbook.  It works.  Make sure you distribute copies far and wide.