Wild garden, willow tunnel and volunteer day

Smitham School has a very creative and practical approach to their teaching and environment both indoors and outdoors. It is a real pleasure to work with them in knitting together the elements that they already have in the big area by the sports field to make it an inspiring place to study and play. We look forward to working with them further.

An existing willow tunnel of 16meters has been extended by another 24 meters, plus a side dome, a break to allow access to storage behind and an end dome as a ‘gateway’ into the copse. The copse has also started receiving attention. Lots of standing dead wood has been brought down from the canopy to make log piles for wildlife, ivy has been hacked at and brought away from the trees as much as possible; except where we suspect the green woodpecker is nesting.

Smitham organize a Volunteer day to allow the friends and families of the school to come and get involved in site works. This time there was a copse clearing day. Everyone helped clear away more of the ivy roots from the trees, so they and the juvenile trees under them will have a chance. The area will be further populated by indigenous bulb planting, wildflower sowings, log seats and organic mulching. The lone bluebell patch, dog violet and wild arums will soon have new neighbours. This is part of a larger project which will be added to throughout the year.