Little Larkhall-ers Grow Their Own

Larkhall Community Growers recently undertook a project with 4 local Larkhall schools to help them grow their own fresh produce from seeds, helping them understand the heritage of growing in the Clyde and Avon valleys. Project administrator Susan Taylor tells us more.

"Our schools project ran from March until August 2014. During this time we engaged with 4 local schools, Hareleeshill, Robert Smillie, Newfield and Dalserf . The course managed to help 242 children see how produce is grown from seeds and enjoy tasting the fresh produce at the end of the growing cycle. Through the course we explained to the children the history and heritage of growing in the area they live and specifically in the Clyde Valley.  They were very interested in hearing about what was grown in the past and is still today, so close to where they live. We also ran two competitions which were Sunflower and Pumpkin growing completions. Both categories were won by Dalserf primary with their sunflower measuring 6ft and pumpkin weighing 12.4 kg. They were given a prize for each competition so received a growing bag with tools and a book called ‘Growing in School All Year Round’. We thoroughly enjoyed seeing the children get involved and learn about many aspects of growing. It was great to see how excited they got when they saw something they had planted, grow into something they could eat. We are now looking forward to seeing what the children will grow next and whatever the next project will be that involves them.

We at Larkhall Community Growers would like to thank the Clyde and Avon Valley Landscape Partnership for the support you have given us in funding this part of our School Project and look forward to working with you again in the future."

Larkhall Community Growers are a not-for-profit organisation committed to unlocking the potential of people to improve their quality of life and that of their community.