21 June 2011
Students Break New Ground in Ladywell
Lewisham College Supported Learning Students and
the Leemore Centre in Lewisham, have teamed up to work on an
exciting ground breaking project.
Visitors to the Ladywell Centre in Brockley which provides a day
service for adults with disabilities and sensory impairments, will
now be able to enjoy their garden and some fresh organic
vegetables.
The Access to Horticulture students have been working hard to
clear a large area of unmaintained garden, creating allotments with
raised beds to grow vegetables.
Tina Mangar tutor said "All the students have gained skills and
knowledge of market gardening, planting carrots, beans, garlic and
onions which will be used by the centre."
Student Michael Robinson enjoys the gardening process from
purchasing new plants to selling produce.
"The best thing is growing vegetables, which the whole
group does together. We grow lots of things from house plants,
ornamental flowers and vegetables. And then we can sell them to
students and the staff."
Dominic Francois, a keen student, had cleared and swept all the
paths and communal seating area under the pergola so everyone can
enjoy the garden.
The group were hard at it digging, weeding and sifting out
rubbish from the site.
Samantha Brown, who has a particular interest in the gardens
wildlife said,
"We've been learning about worms and how they are good for the
mud. I've seen loads of ladybirds too. I look after them,
they're good for the garden."
Co-ordinator of the GROW project, David Glover, has links with
local employers and voluntary agencies and is seeking funding to
create paid employment opportunities for successful trainees.