New garden opens at Burrenreagh school

New garden opens at Burrenreagh school

11 May 2022

A NEW community garden is blooming at St Patrick’s Primary School, Burrenreagh.

The school has a pollinator garden thanks to an award of £8,266 under Rural Community Pollinator Grant scheme. 

The initiative is financed by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and managed by the Live Here Love Here civic pride campaign.

Mr James Hunt, school principal,. said the money was used to create a “beautiful pollinator garden with the involvement of pupils, parents and others in the community”. 

He continued: “This garden will provide a haven for bees, insects and endangered species by providing a perfect habitat which in turn will benefit the whole community. 

“We are thrilled to work in partnership with the Live Here Love Here team to create a beautiful, educational outdoor space that will be a changing and developing outdoor classroom. We look forward to pupils, parents and the local community taking pride in this special space which will truly enhance the environment.”

He said the ongoing work each year will educate pupils about the need to care for the environment.

Mr Hunt said the school  was already fortunate with its green surroundings.

“Our whole school community connect with nature and learn from it, with the pupils working together to develop skills for life and a real sense of the beauty and importance of the environment.  

“Our extensive pollinator gardens will incorporate large numbers of native pollinator plants, a fruit tree orchard, a greenhouse, outdoor planters where the pupils will learn to grow vegetables, a sensory garden, living willow houses, native trees and shrubs, and many more beautiful features.”

Helen Tomb, Live Here Love Here manager, commented: “We are thrilled to support 185 projects through the Rural Community Pollinator Grants Scheme.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for communities to avail of resources to make their immediate environments as friendly as possible to our life-supporting pollinator species.

“We want to thank all the incredible volunteers who lend us their free time and hard work to help keep Northern Ireland beautiful. We always welcome and appreciate the support of those who believe in the ‘Live Here Love Here’ message.”