Pupils at a Stalybridge primary helped put the final flourish to a community garden which could be used as a future Forest School.

Birch Tree Community Forest Garden has been created on land owned by housing provider Jigsaw Homes Tameside. 

It has now been totally transformed as part of a 12-week project led by gardening expert Victoria Holden of Northern Lily and Jigsaw’s Neighbourhood Engagement Team.

Year 4 children from Silver Springs Academy were invited to join residents and commemorate the completion of the garden on the corner of School Lane, Spring Street and The Close by burying a time capsule in a special celebration.

They joined residents for the ceremony, with the capsule filled with photographs of Birch Tree’s transformation, coins and written letters from those who had worked to create the sustainable space.

The pupils also wrote letters about their local area, described what it was like living through the global pandemic and asked questions to future readers about the planet and climate change.

The children also had the chance to explore the vibrant garden which was budding with flowers, sprouting fruits and vegetables and newly planted trees. They learned from residents how the garden had been created and how it will support wildlife and be used by the entire community.

Through the sustainable gardening methods purposely taught by Victoria, Birch Tree can be effortlessly maintained by the local community and can be continually cultivated by future generations to come.

At the final session, the children sewed sunflower and beetroot seeds which will be gifted back to the school once fully bloomed and flowered.

Teacher Frances Waite, who accompanied the children at the garden, said: “We had a lovely time visiting Birch Tree and the children enjoyed exploring the garden and learning from all the volunteers about how it had been created. 

“They were really excited to take part in the time capsule and were all engaged in their writing to somebody in the future and we are so pleased we got to have such an important role in contributing to and burying the time capsule.”

Sally Pritchard, Housing and Customer Manager at Jigsaw Homes said: “It was fantastic to see how enthusiastic the children were and how much interest they had in the plants and wildlife. 

“Seeing the care that has gone into this communal space and how it has brought people together is such a good example for them and we hope that this will be a garden for everyone to enjoy and be a part of now and in the future.”

As the garden grows and attracts wildlife, it is hoped that a Forest School can be created to allow local children to explore the natural world and learn about the wildlife that lives there.

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