St Michael’s Junior School in Twerton, Bath, was one of the primary schools that received a small grant from Avon Gardens Trust in early 2012 to go towards improving their school grounds. I was delighted to receive an invitation to visit the school to meet members of the Green Fingers Club and to plant one of the trees that the school had purchased with the grant money. On a wet day in early July that has characterised the British summer in 2012, I went along to the school.
The school was founded in 1854 as Twerton Parochial School but was moved to its present site just over 60 years ago. There are currently 180 pupils spread across seven classes. St Michael’s is fortunate in that it has a large amount of open space which the school is keen to improve as they want the pupils to take full advantage of all aspects of outdoor learning.
In the welcoming foyer of the school, I was met by teacher Hannah Klinkert who introduced me to members of the newly formed Green Fingers Club. The Club currently numbers fifteen pupils who meet every Tuesday after school. I was shown around the school grounds by six members of the Club and enthusiastically told about their plans to create a nature area, a wild garden where they hope to encourage insects and for a place that can be developed as a quiet space for pupils.
After the tour of the grounds, I planted a cherry tree ably assisted by several Club members. When this had been done, we all then escaped the rain and retired to the school library where, over tea and cakes, I was ably looked after by my young hosts.
The school has been able to plant three trees with the grant they had received from Avon Gardens Trust. It was an interesting visit and the sheer enthusiasm of those in the Green Fingers Club for growing plants really came across. My thanks go to Hannah Klinkert and the members of the Green Fingers Club for what was a very interesting and fun afternoon.
Ros Delany