The Fairyland Trust project at Wells Next The Sea Primary School was
completed on April 29th with the handover of the Enchanted woodland
to Carol Jennings, Head Teacher. Children made wands and crowns with
natural materials including native trees such as May Tree or hawthorn,
in the new gazebo. Mayor of Wells, Joyce Trett, cut the ribbon to
open the boardwalk and children joined governors and visitors on a
walk around the newly created meadows, the pond and the woods. A sparrowhawk
circled overhead, oystercatchers piped (they are nesting in the meadow)
and newts, frogs and toads were spotted in the pond, along with great
diving water beetles.
Students from nearby Alderman Peel High School laid hedges, planted
trees and introduced primroses, foxgloves, red campion and other
flowers to the wood last year, which are now in bloom. They will
now help with long term maintenance of the project, which is partly
funded by sponsorship from local businesses including Handmade Norfolk
Soaps, Big Blue Sky and Campaign Strategy Ltd. The three acre meadow
created by ploughing up part of the playing field, includes ox-eye
daisies, birds foot trefoil and yarrow to attract moths and butterflies.
Hares, partridges and kestrels have also been using the area. A
new pond with a solar fountain, children's sculptures and bridge
are also part of the project, funded with a £40,000 "SEED
Programme" Lottery Grant.
The opening comes as the school has successfully left Special Measures,
on which it was recently congratulated by Head of OFSTED, David
Bell. "This is our first school project – the aim is
to help children learn about nature by having fun in a magical way"
says Sarah Wise, Fairyland Trust coordinator.
"A blackbird has already nested in the gazebo – having
this resource is a tremendous asset for us in all our lessons"
says Head Teacher Carol Jennings – "it helps to boost
the curriculum with the power of the imagination".
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