Posted by PM | Posted in Latest news | Posted on 22-05-2014
Photo by Chris Taylor (http://www.christaylorphoto.co.uk/)
A generous grant of £8,600 made to The Patch from the Clothworkers Foundation is now fully spent. It has been put to good use, and the things it has provided have added value to the experience gained by pupils from the three, on-site Sheringham schools.Matthew Smith, Director of The Patch and Business Manager at Woodfields School gives an idea of how the money has been spent, saying: “The major outlay has been in a new, custom designed, fully accessible by everyone including wheelchair users, greenhouse which has had raised beds with wooden covers installed. This gives us double capacity storage when the beds are not in use. The money has also allowed us to build two extra raised beds, install seating in the sensory garden and buy various classroom resources to aid learning. Last, but still important, there was enough left over to buy guttering and water butts to harvest water off all our structures, which should help to reduce our water bills!”The investment has paid off: a lot of hard graft by staff and pupils resulted in a successful plant sale earlier this month, which added £85 to The Patch’s coffers. All the plants were sown, nurtured and potted on by pupils who benefit so much from their involvement in the project. The resultant selection of fruit, vegetable and ornamental plants displayed outside Woodfields’ Den (next to Tesco) attracted the attention of many local gardeners interested in acquiring a bargain.
Matthew allayed the fears of anyone who missed out on the sale on 10th May, saying: “It’s still not too late. There’s time to take advantage of The Patch’s bounty by visiting www.facebook.com/ThePatchSheringham, or make contact with us via email (pm@3.10.78.233) to enquire about purchasing plants.”
He went on to thank everyone who contributed to this successful event. “We couldn’t have achieved this without the grant from the Clothworkers Foundation, the hard work of people who raised the plants, and those who gave their time to sell them on the day. All monies raised will be used to enhance the facilities at The Patch, which brings enjoyment and learning to so many people.”