Watch out Alan Titchmarsh and Monty Don – a group of green fingered students from Knaresborough have been busy showing off their horticultural skills.
On Wednesday 24 February, 25 pupils from King James’s School in Knaresborough were joined by the mayors of the Harrogate district and Knaresborough to perform a tree planting ceremony at Knaresborough Swimming Pool.
Recently landscaping has taken place to remove a number of overgrown and mature shrubs in the swimming pool’s grounds. Harrogate Borough Council enlisted the help of the children to plant eleven crab apple, hawthorn and cherry trees, which will encourage biodiversity in the area by providing berries for birds and pollen for insects, and adding a splash of colour through the year.
Following a master class from the Harrogate Borough Council gardeners, the students donned their wellies, picked up their spades, and set about digging the holes for the trees. As the trees grow the pupils will ensure that they are maintained in the future.
Councillor Nigel Simms, the Mayor of the Borough of Harrogate said:
It was a real honour to be invited by the Mayor of Knaresborough to join him in planting trees with pupils from King James’s School.
The green fingered pupils were great and literally got stuck in planting the trees and I am sure they will now help us to look after the trees in the future.
Councillor Andrew Willoughby, the Mayor of Knaresborough said:
It is always good to plant trees especially when it is in Knaresborough.
It was great to involve the pupils from King James’s who I am sure learned something from the experience.
Anna Wilding from King James’s School said:
This was a wonderful opportunity for our students to learn about horticulture and the importance of looking after their local environment.
They learned new skills, worked really well together and had a very enjoyable time.
Students developed confidence in using gardening tools and the snow flurry made it extra special.
We are looking forward to carrying on the great work we started.
