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PRESS RELEASE issued on behalf of Scenic Blue
September 2004

CLLR ALAN CHARLES OPENS KILLAMARSH SCHOOL WILDLIFE GARDEN

Councillor Alan Charles, Derbyshire County Council's cabinet member for education, will be hoping to reveal some of the gardening prowess demonstrated by fellow Alan, gardening guru Alan Titchmarsh, when he visits Killamarsh Nursery & Infant School on Wednesday 22nd September at 10.30 am. Cllr Alan Charles will be officially opening the school’s recently created wildlife garden designed and built by local landscaper Scenic Blue Sheffield. It is hoped that the garden will help to inspire the school’s pupils (aged 5-7 years) to take an early interest in gardening and encourage their appreciation of natural wildlife – and may even result in Killamarsh boasting its very own budding Ground Force stars of the future! In addition the creation of the new garden will provide a welcome breath of fresh air and a chance to escape the confines of the classroom.

John Smith, who runs Scenic Blue Sheffield joined forces with Rob White, deputy head at Killamarsh Nursery & Infant School to develop the wildlife garden which comprises features ideally suited to the young children. Key focal points include a dedicated teaching zone, pond and bog garden and shrub, herbaceous, bulb and wildlife friendly wildflower planting. Bird and bat boxes have been incorporated to further attract wildlife to the garden and a log pile has also been included to provide an enticing home for hedgehogs!

The garden project has been funded by money donated from three sources: the PTA, British Trust Conservation Volunteers and the Duke of Devonshire’s Award. Scenic Blue Sheffield supplied the design, labour and some materials.

Commenting on the proposed garden John Smith says “we are thrilled to have been involved in this project which represents a valuable learning opportunity for our local children. It is a well established fact that a range of topics and subjects can be taught through the outdoor classroom and by working with Rob White, we are confident that the new garden facility will provide excellent educational as well as undisputed play benefits to the pupils of Killamarsh Nursery & Infant School”.

note to editors:

- Scenic Blue, is the UK’s only landscape gardening franchise currently operating 37 franchises

For further information please contact:

Carla Wessel, Scenic Blue press office
Tel 01227 700 175
John Smith, Scenic Blue Sheffield
Tel 0114 2562560