Our Garden Wins a Certificate of Achievement!

May 2, 2014

Sorry it’s been a while since our last blog – things have been pretty hectic here at YDMT over the last few months!

One of our projects recently came to fruition… the wildflower Pocket Garden which was awarded a Certificate of Achievement at Harrogate Spring Flower Show last week!

A few months ago we teamed up with pupils from Bainbridge Primary School and Chris Myers (an ambassador for the Trust and a local award-winning garden designer) to create a garden measuring just one metre square that highlighted the importance and beauty of spring wildflower habitats in the Yorkshire Dales, and the range of pollinating insects that depend on this vital early nectar source.

We were really chuffed with the finished result, which included native plants such as English Bluebell, Lily of the Valley, Lords and Ladies, Coltsfoot, Ransom and Bugle, all nestled beneath a native Hawthorn tree, to create a naturalistic and tranquil garden. Happily the judges were impressed too, awarding us a Certificate of Achievement!

Tanya from YDMT with the finished garden

It’s been great fun working with the children. They became really interested in the plants and insects on their doorstep, and came up with some excellent ideas and garden designs, thanks to some top tips and advice from Chris. The children also made an artistic collection of insects that decorated the garden, including ladybirds, spiders, snails, bumblebees and caterpillars that took pride of place in the garden.

Beautiful Bugs!

The garden has now been re-created in the school’s own garden where the children can continue to enjoy learning about the plants and the local wildlife that thrive in this kind of habitat.

David Moore, Assistant Headteacher at Bainbridge Primary School, commented: “This has been a unique learning experience for the children who have enjoyed sowing seeds, making insects and learning all about the importance of the wildflower species that we are lucky enough to see growing close to our school in the Yorkshire Dales.”

The Pocket Garden project has been made possible thanks to the support of players of People’s Postcode Lottery. The charity lottery supports good causes like YDMT, which has been awarded more than £400,000 over the last five years. In total, players have raised more than £39.9 Million for good causes across the country.

Huge thanks to everyone involved!