Green-fingered Market Drayton Junior School pupils have received some welcome help with their gardening project from a town centre supermarket.
A supply of gardening equipment donated by Morrisons Supermarket in Maer Lane was presented to the school last Friday during a visit by north Shropshire MP Owen Paterson.
The equipment was provided after parents collected thousands of vouchers while shopping at Morrisons as part of its Let’s Grow scheme which encourages children to learn about growing fruit and vegetables.
The school launched its own after-school gardening club two years ago where produce grown by pupils is eventually cooked and served to them at lunchtimes.
Teaching assistant Stephen Boughey said: “There is interest about gardening from the children and we hold the club once a week where they come and do whatever is required.
“We’ve had a couple of successes, such as coming second in the Market Drayton in Bloom competition last year, and it’s growing each year.
“Now when they are eating peas or potatoes, the children can actually remember what they were like at the growing stage. They’re massively proud of our gardening area and they’re regularly showing the rest of the school what’s going on in it.”
The Let’s Grow scheme was launched two years ago and so far, more than 22,000 schools across the country have collected and exchanged vouchers for gardening equipment, including watering cans, wormeries and wellington boots.
Morrisons store manager Paul Averill said: “The enthusiasm for the scheme has been tremendous and we’ve had some wonderful feedback from parents, teachers and children.
“We’re seeing the rewards of it after two years and Market Drayton Junior School has been lucky enough to collect in excess of 8,000 vouchers claim things for the school.
“It’s all about getting the kids interested in healthy, fresh food and following it through from when it’s grown so that in later life they can grow things themselves.
“It’s a great advert for the children and to see them doing it is wonderful.”