Students from Newcastle-under-Lyme College are calling upon the local construction industry to help them create a community garden.
Horticulture students have written to hundreds of local building suppliers, asking for donations in order to create a community garden at Newcastle Fire Station on Knutton Lane.
The students’ wish list includes timber for raised planting beds, trellis for climbing fruit and compost bins as well as a number of other items.
Nick Anderson, Lecturer in Horticulture at NULC, said: “The Horticulture students are dedicated to making the project a success, but in order to do that they need the support and donations of building supplies. Donations no matter how big or small will be greatly received and help to provide a lasting community garden for the local children of Knutton and Newcastle-under-Lyme.”
The Horticulture students have designed the community garden and displayed their plan in the College’s Skills and Technology Centre. The students aim to start work in April once they have managed to gather the materials needed.
The completed garden will be used as an outside space for local primary schools where children will have the opportunity to plant, watch things grow, learn about different plants and gain an interest in the attracted wildlife.
The garden will also include a wormery and a sand pit for the children to use. The area will be wheel chair friendly and include a paved area for the children to use as an outdoor classroom and community learning environment.
Nick added: “The garden will be open to the local community and provide a relaxing environment where youngsters will also be able to benefit from the educational opportunities provided through growing their own vegetables.”
The Level 1 qualification in Horticulture launched in September 2012 at the College and has gone from strength to strength with students gaining work placements at leading local visitor attractions including Biddulph Grange Gardens and the Dorothy Clive Gardens.
Nick added: “The vocational qualification in Horticulture complements the College’s existing construction provision and allows learners of all ages to gain a recognized qualification with skills in gardening, landscaping and issues effecting the environment.”
Anyone wishing to donate items for the community garden is asked to contact lecturer Nick Anderson at Newcastle-under-Lyme College on nick.anderson@nulc.ac.uk or call 01782 254208.
