Students from Newcastle-under-Lyme College
(NULC) have joined forces with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service for a new
community project.
Newcastle Community Fire Station has
invited students from the College’s new Horticulture course to create a
community garden at their new station opposite the College on Knutton Road.
The green fingered students will be putting
their skills to use by creating a community garden using hard landscaping such as
decking and paving as well as soft landscaping including planting.
Pete Hall, Neighbourhood Co-ordinator at
Newcastle Community Fire Station, said: “The new Community Fire Stations are
open to the public and they are fast becoming a hub for the community. Therefore
we thought it a great idea to ask students from the College to get involved and
create a lasting legacy in terms of a community garden.”
Once the garden is complete, youngsters
from local primary schools will be invited to maintain the garden and continue
planting throughout the year.
Nick Anderson, Lecturer in Horticulture at
NULC, said: “This is a going to be a fantastic opportunity at the start of the
new course for students to roll up their sleeves and put their new found skills
to use.”
Talking about the course Nick added: “The
new Horticulture courses complement our existing construction provision and
provide a route for students wishing to move into landscape construction and
maintenance. The course is available
part-time and full-time, with opportunities available to both young people and
adults from across the area.”
Places are still available for people to
sign up for the new Horticulture course. Students signing up for the new course
will also be able to make use of the new gardening facilities at its Skills and
Technology Centre, which include greenhouses and space to develop hard landscaping
skills.
Tutors also hope to engage with high
profile local gardens and visitor attractions to offer work experience
opportunities and placements for students.
To find out more about the new Horticulture
courses at NULC visit www.nulc.ac.uk/newcourses2012
or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or email info@nulc.ac.uk.
