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Post by Rosefriend on Sept 21, 2007 6:59:51 GMT
Isn't it always the same though - everybody loves the ideas but when it comes to doing anything it is amazing how many people suddenly do not have the time that they had before.
RF
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Post by 4pygmies on Sept 21, 2007 7:01:12 GMT
Morning RF &Shrubrose! I keep popping on here in between persuading smallest that she DOES want to get dressed and she DOES want to go to school  ....well, I do take your point about keeping everyone informed. I have written a newsletter at regular intervals, I have just sent another letter to parents about starting the Club again and the building work and orchard and wild life garden are literally passed by every time a child or parent comes in or out of the school buildings. To be honest I am having trouble even getting some of the teachers to show any interest at all! Only the two infant teachers, the Headmistress and the school secretary have ever really shown more than a passing interest. I do wonder if I'm banging my head against a brick wall (as opposed to a headmistress!). I am as enthusiastic as ever but genuinely puzzled as to how to get any interest going amongst more than my tiny band of Mums... |
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Post by Rosefriend on Sept 21, 2007 7:15:54 GMT
This may be a very silly suggestion and I certainly don't mind if you tell me so but .....well people often will take an interest if they think that there is something to be got out of it - freebies....
Is there anyway that you could grow some things that the kids that take home with them - parsley, chives, herbs in general and perhaps some kind of veg - even radishes - anything that mothers would use. It would be fun for the kids to harvest them and if the Mum's saw that it was fun for them, who knows perhaps they would join in, especially if they were getting something for nothing.
The last thing that you need is more work but it could be an incentive perhaps to some of the others.
RF
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Post by 4pygmies on Sept 21, 2007 8:35:25 GMT
It's not a silly idea at all RF! Last year I sent quite a few kids home with pots of stuff - easy flowers and beans etc....I didn't get much feed back at all........and the previous year when I started Gardening Club I had a stall selling all the stuff the kids had sown which was quite popular but, again only with the same few parents...next term I hope to grow quite a few bits and pieces for the children to finish off at home. I've been hoarding big plastic pots for months as I want them to grow spuds and take them home to harvest them....dunno what else Ican do really........I am going to grow runner beans next year in the ground and see if the school kitchen will use them perhaps........
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Post by carolann on Sept 21, 2007 9:26:09 GMT
Hi 4p I have only just started to read this thread and I so admire what you have been trying to do at your school I wish somthing like that had gone on when my daughter was ar school I would have jumped at the chance to help out. Have you brought up the subject at parents night? Also I know that you are very busy but have you seen any of your childrens gardens? Maybe you could approach the families that do gardening, or have a lesson where the children have to write about their gardens, then you could see which families do some gardening. I love this thread and only wish that I lived closer to you then I would be there in a flash helping you.   for what you are doing. Carol. |
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Post by 4pygmies on Sept 21, 2007 12:35:47 GMT
Thank you, Carol, I wish you lived nearer too - I would drag you inside the gate at a rate of knots! That's a very good idea about getting the children to describe their gardens....something to do on a wet Wednesay in December when we can't go outside anyway.
I did wonder whether I could try and turn them into eco warriers over the winter too - start getting them to count waste paper, or make some changes to the way their class rooms work.....Norfolk Council apparently do school visits to talk about recycling etc...I don't want to make myself too unpopular though.....we have a compost bin now but the canteen has tons of citrus fruit waste unfortunately. Anybody any ideas about what to do with that?
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Post by Rosefriend on Sept 21, 2007 12:59:53 GMT
No idea with the citrus - we were told just to put them into a different bin - we have 5 ways of recycling here.
I have just received my seeds for overwintering and I am going to collect some sweet pea seeds from this years plants to do them as I have no doubt that the cold will kill them outside. Sorry I am warbling - well what about getting the kids to grow one Sweet pea plant over winter and then they can be planted out next year. There names can be attached and it could be a little contest for them. I have loads of seeds here that I can send you if you need some.
RF
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Post by Shrubrose on Sept 21, 2007 18:00:19 GMT
Right then you've definitely got a problem. If the HM wont commit to it then she's not going to drive it. She doesn't drive it, nobody takes it seriously. Nobody takes it seriously, nobody knows about it. Therefore if you really want to carry on with the project, you HAVE to get her on side. If she believes in it then others will 'believe' in it and she'll make them! What do you know about what she has to deliver? How can what you are doing help her deliver? (and by association help you). Sorry about this, but have you studied the school curriculum and what it's meant to deliver for the childrens' education and where does your project fit in? Where can you make it fit?
Also, what about a bit of lateral thinking 4P? To get more parents' interested I think you might want to consider marketing the scheme more widely. Something in the local paper, radio? If parents' realised that what you were doing was attracting wider notice, they might sit up and take notice and some might even want to get more involved. Even a local celeb, if you have one? Or a national celeb who's passionate about small, local schemes that are trying to inspire passion in the gardeners of tomorrow.
What I'm saying might be 'tosh', because you might have tried all this already. If so, forgive me. Like Carolann, if I was closer I'd love to help.
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Post by 4pygmies on Sept 21, 2007 19:29:02 GMT
Not talking tosh Shrubrose! I really appreciate your interests and comments. I may have given a slightly erroneous impression in my gloom this morning - the HM is really quite interested, she is a very lovely lady, but she is very busy too!
Very good idea to study the curriculum too - I shall definitely do that.. I have discussed an approach to a newspaper but it is frowned upon by the church authorities for some reason. I had a good look at Juliet's link to Chris Beardshaws schools programme - wouldn't that be nice? (Although how can I lose 4 stones in a month and look 25 again please?) I am going to see if I can get some of the local OAPs interested by attending their Gardening Club next Spring. Lots of ideas, thanks ladies. I shall do the Sweetpeas but there's no need to send me any seeds RF, thank you kindly - I shall make the PTA spend some money! My last resort will be to drag some of these Stepford Wives into my new GH and smear them with compost.............
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Post by jean on Sept 21, 2007 19:45:01 GMT
Sounds like you are still having a hard time 4P  You only need a few dedicated helpers, they must be out there somewhere |
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Post by 4pygmies on Sept 24, 2007 13:18:05 GMT
I've had to limit offering Gardening Club to two classes this time as I only have 2 helpers regularly and now we have a GH and some beds I would like to get something done! It's a shame but at least I can concentrate on the 7-9 yr olds. I shall probably start a lunchtime session with the Infants in the Spring as they just love sowing seeds. It's just sad that, atm, I can't give as many children as possible a go but once we have established some flower beds and have a weeding routine every week, then I hope to get some more people involved. I try not to think about how apathetic the majority are anymore...it's their childrens loss. I'd rather concentrate of teaching a few the basics now.  |
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Post by Chuckles on Sept 25, 2007 21:04:01 GMT
Your'e such a trooper 4P keep at it won't you |
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Post by 4pygmies on Oct 10, 2007 7:04:45 GMT
A trooper! ;D That's put a funny old picture in my head , Chuckles - I seem to be wearing a Canadian Mounties uniform complete with hat!  It's the first Gardening Club after school today so I DOOOOO hope the weather's fine! We are weeding the new flower beds and the adventure playground, planting the wild flowerplugs and Karen's kindly donated foxgloves, finishing the dipping pond ramp and putting up the pallet winter habitat tower over the next few weeks. I shall be putting up the GH staging and filling up the lovely big GH with my usual clutter too! Plus I have to work out how to install the camera nestbox in the big apple tree.........Can't wait! |
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Post by Chuckles on Oct 10, 2007 7:21:17 GMT
 You need a stable for your horse then 4P and don't forget to collect the Pooooooo for the garden Good luck with the Garden Club tonight, it's all going on and actually happening now isn't it Keep us posted won't you
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Post by 4pygmies on Oct 11, 2007 5:58:22 GMT
Here you are then Chuckles: The first session was really good! Only about 8 kids atm (clashes with football practise temporarily) and 2 Mums so we could work quite well. We started our pallet wildlife tower and much fun was had rolling up newspaper, bundling twigs, tying up sticks etc etc. Some went off to collect dry leaves, pine cones and conker husks, while other raided the building stash left from last year's new classroom build and barrowed back all the air bricks and we had a good time filling up all the gaps in the pallets. One girl made a very artful twig and moss thatch top and then we had a quick poggle in the dipping ponds. They are looking very well btw. To finish off we had a mass weeding session in the bark around the adventure playground. (Gotta introduce the chores with the interesting stuff too) Next week is planting OM's Daffodil bulbs. One very nasty thing - the thick pillocks have been in the wildlife area again, despite their assurances and have strimmed it but this time they also strimmed to death a poor hedgehog that was sheltering in there  I played it down a bit as some of the kids were getting a bit upset but I let rip to the Head who is going to make another complaint. Poor little hoggy - what is the point in me trying to teach the kids to shelter and guard wildlife when they can see with their own eyes that adults are moronic, thoughtless and cruel? Even in an area which is specifically designed to provide a safe home? It makes me feel quite murderous.....I've had to leave it there too - so the boss can see the evidence in situ. If the Thick Pillocks come near me I shall raze them to the ground with my RATBUMS Mega Death Ray. So there.  (If only eh?) And of course because they have strimmed AGAIN the grass has taken over AGAIN so now I have have a session digging it all out before I can plant all the flowers. Can I, at least, put the Mega Death Ray on 'Stun and Burn a Bit', do you think?  |
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Post by skarloey on Oct 11, 2007 7:38:14 GMT
Morning 4P, I'm trying not to think of Spike and his demise but I CAN'T believe they've been in there AGAIN!!!! You must be so frustrated, I've read along with your trials and tribs and I can honestly say that I may well have given up by now. I think you're absolutely bloody marvellous to still be sticking with it. I've also tried to think of other ways to get others interested (I did like RF's idea of getting each child to overwinter a SP, who can grow the tallest? What colour will it be? etc) and I can't understand why you only have two mothers who want to help, I'd love to help a project like this at our local school, although I'm not sure I'd have the staying power to actually run it!!!!! But I'm going to really put some thought into it today and also ask OH for his opinions (he's a special needs teacher). Keep going lovley, what you are doing is fantastic.  Fondest regards, Skarloey. X P.S Sending you some virtual arnica...... well, your head must be quite bruised with all that banging it up a brick wall.  |
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Post by oldmoleskins on Oct 11, 2007 7:53:06 GMT
Blimey 4P, how do these contractors get in and make their noise without alerting some staff?
If you have any plantings where it could be 'invisible' there is always strimmer sabotage I s'pose...there's nothing worse than finding tangly stuff that wraps round the head of the machine. From experience, baler string, fine wire (pretty invisible - particularly the fine green gardening wire) bits of old netting that plants can grow through... failing that, yes an infra red beam remotely activated RMDR set initially on 'stun'...
Well done on the recruitment though, you must feel you're getting somewhere...
OM.
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Post by Juliet on Oct 11, 2007 12:27:12 GMT
 How about one of those things which squirt water whenever they detect movement? If one of the pillocks did electrocute himself ... well, it's his own fault, he was told not to go in that area  Other than that, it sounds like you've made a good start - just hope these contractors don't get the chance to spoil things any more for you or for the children.
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Post by Rosefriend on Oct 11, 2007 16:54:34 GMT
I am pleased that at least a couple of Mum's turned up 4P and 8 kids - well, with all the problems, a fairly good start.
I must say that I agree with OM that an accidental strimmer sabotage would be ideal. If animals get killed or have to be killed then cleanly and swiftly and not in that way.
Fingers crossed and good luck for next week.
RF
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Post by 4pygmies on Oct 11, 2007 20:21:24 GMT
OOOH, how evil are you three then? What a brilliant idea...especially as I have, myself, nearly fatally messed up my own mighty strimmer with knotted baler twine - hehehehe......how often shall I bury it? Or some nice big lumps of flint half buried would work too.....Mr Fuzzypeg the Hedgehog - you will be avenged....... ;D I could make some water booby traps if necessary....heck, can I unleash my evil side at LAST...............?
Hiya Skarloey! Any ideas VERY gratefully accepted please! I can't give up though - I spent soooo long getting this far. We are getting the fun stuff started now!
If my assassination attempt of the thick pillocks reaches the national press I know you'll all start an online petition!
"4PYGMIES IS INNOCENT" - well, justified (and ancient ;D) anyway.......
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Post by bagpuss on Oct 12, 2007 12:59:12 GMT
I am so pleased this thread has surfaced again. Sorry to hear about the little hedgepig though Let's hope there are some more there somewhere, and that the thick pillock's don't get anywhere near them. It's really nice to see the pic's of the progress though, it's coming along really nicely and I'm really looking forward to seeing more pics of the progress. Keep up the fantastic work. |
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Post by Juliet on Oct 14, 2007 22:09:56 GMT
4P - I was just looking up stuff about hedgehogs and found this: thehedgehog.co.uk/strimmers.htmI don't suppose the poster would have any effect on the pillocks ... especially as they're not supposed to be strimming in there in the first place ... but I thought maybe we could all at least sign the petition? Also, Spru mentioned on another thread that hedgehogs are protected by law - I don't know the details or whether this would cover what the pillocks did to yours, but it might serve to scare them off if you mentioned it to the contractors? |
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Post by 4pygmies on Oct 15, 2007 6:42:19 GMT
Thanks for the link Juliet - I've signed the petition. I shall find out today or tomorrow if the Head has spoken to the Groundman boss - if she hasn't, I will! I think I will anyway......
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Post by Shrubrose on Oct 15, 2007 6:51:16 GMT
Pluck up the courage to 4P, if she doesn't. Cant be proper gardeners can they - just 'lads' with a bit of kit (boys and toys spring to mind)? Does this contractor know what you're trying to do? Could you get him/her on side? Numpties.
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Post by Chuckles on Nov 5, 2007 20:08:21 GMT
I don't believe the pillocks have been at it again 4P I'm utterly speechless and poor hoggy Despite all the problems you have had along the way I'm really pleased the first session went well Keep at it Mrs nothing can stop our 4P
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Post by 4pygmies on Nov 6, 2007 7:02:01 GMT
Oo, 'ello Chuckles! The poor hedgehog...but I am glad to say his death was not in vain as the Head was so horrified she got militant (but only in a nice way :  and tore a strip off the Thick Pillock's boss and he has now removed the wildlife garden from their schedule of work and we/I am going to do the maintenance (such as it is). HURRAY! The lack of light has now stopped Gardening Club for the winter which was such a shame as my little group were thoroughly enjoying themselves. One girl told her Mum she wanted to be a gardener when she grew up - eeh, I was sooo proud! We did get quite a lot of stuff done this half term - planted all OM's Daffodil bulbs about the place, weeded all the new beds by the GH, and filled one with herbs and Karen's foxgloves to overwinter in, built a wildlife tower out of pallets, filled up the leaf bin and weeded over the bark in the adventure playground. Pretty good for 4 meetings only an hour long I thought. Can't wait for next Spring now! |
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Post by Shrubrose on Nov 6, 2007 7:32:39 GMT
Good result with the wildlife garden 4P. Roll on springtime eh?
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Post by Rosefriend on Nov 6, 2007 17:46:05 GMT
It is certainly a nice note to finish on for the year .....perhaps the Hedgehogs demise wasn't in vain after all if the pillocks aren't to be allowed to work in that area again.
Well done 4P, - in a short period of time you have accomplished a hell of a lot.
RF
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Post by Shrubrose on Nov 15, 2007 7:56:03 GMT
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Post by 4pygmies on Nov 15, 2007 16:24:44 GMT
Thanks Shrubrose, actually I have been on the site a few times but I always seem to miss the deadline for applications I would like to get some more money.......ran out of money and still haven't put up the raised beds as we worked out it will cost over £200 to fill them I shall have another bash at them - Mr Titchmarsh would like to support our school club I'm certain. |
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....well, I do take your point about keeping everyone informed. I have written a newsletter at regular intervals, I have just sent another letter to parents about starting the Club again and the building work and orchard and wild life garden are literally passed by every time a child or parent comes in or out of the school buildings. To be honest I am having trouble even getting some of the teachers to show any interest at all! Only the two infant teachers, the Headmistress and the school secretary have ever really shown more than a passing interest. I do wonder if I'm banging my head against a brick wall (as opposed to a headmistress!). I am as enthusiastic as ever but genuinely puzzled as to how to get any interest going amongst more than my tiny band of Mums...
You only need a few dedicated helpers, they must be out there somewhere 
I played it down a bit as some of the kids were getting a bit upset but I let rip to the Head who is going to make another complaint. Poor little hoggy - what is the point in me trying to teach the kids to shelter and guard wildlife when they can see with their own eyes that adults are moronic, thoughtless and cruel? Even in an area which is specifically designed to provide a safe home? It makes me feel quite murderous.....I've had to leave it there too - so the boss can see the evidence in situ. If the Thick Pillocks come near me I shall raze them to the ground with my RATBUMS Mega Death Ray. So there. 
(If only eh?)
How about one of those things which squirt water whenever they detect movement? If one of the pillocks did electrocute himself ... well, it's his own fault, he was told not to go in that area 
and tore a strip off the Thick Pillock's boss and he has now removed the wildlife garden from their schedule of work and we/I am going to do the maintenance (such as it is). HURRAY!