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| Netherfield Primary School |
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| Netherfield Primary School |
Chris Collins, Blue Peter Gardener
and raconteur delighted all who met him on his return visit to Battle last Thursday. His visit was sponsored
and arranged by Beautiful Battle Chris
arrived in time to have lunch with the staff and children at Netherfield School before talking to the whole school about his
time as the Blue Peter Gardener. The children found him entertaining and fun and were not slow in asking
questions. They particularly wanted to know about The Blue Peter pets...and who was his favourite...to
which he replied ‘the tortoise’. Chris was then invited to plant
a tree at the front of the school...and he demonstrated (in the rain!) from the cutting of the turf...to
the firming around the roots. No short cuts!!
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| Claverham Community College |
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| Claverham Community College |
Chris then visited Claverham Community College where
he was greeted by Principal Paul Swatton and course tutor Dick Telford. After planting a Malus liset tree
in memory of a former pupil, he gave a short inspirational talk to students and was shown the fast developing horticultural
area of saplings, seeded wild flower meadow and bedding plants, created and managed by the students.
He was delighted with the presentation of a walnut tree, (grown from seed) which he hopes to introduce
into the Blue Peter Garden
The evening lecture in Battle Memorial Hall inspired
his audience. Chris spoke of his time as head gardener at Westminster Abbey, ‘The
Oldest Garden in History’ . His designs which reflected the beauty of the surrounding building , were both imaginative
and sympathetic, and embraced ‘ripples’ in the green swathe of turf! It was not however achieved
without the introduction of some 8000 worms, and the creation of some magic compost! Chris considered it
a privilege to have worked here. The gardens are open to the public on a Tuesday Wednesday & Thursday.
Following the interval, and the drawing of an exciting
horticultural raffle, sponsored by local growers and garden centres, Chris concluded his lecture with a talk on
‘The Journey to a Chelsea Garden’. In 2008 he gathered school children together from
throughout the country to design ‘The Garden that Kids want’. This took 9 months of intense work and co-ordination,
and cost £160,000 (sponsored by the Chelsea sponsor) but the end product embraced the children’s ideas and creations
in a (practical) work of art that they could all appreciate.
Chris is a very special person who can engage with any generation. Beautiful
Battle with the co-ordination undertaken by Simon Alexander, was delighted to host him for a second time. .....and as a bonus
he has become a ‘Life member of Beautiful Battle!
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