Opening of Pre-School Garden

09/11/09

All Saints, Harrow Weald celebrated the opening of an outdoor play area at the weekend. With a grant of £35,000 awarded by Harrow Council from locally delegated Department for Children, Schools and Families funds, a muddy area at the back of the church has been transformed into a creative play and learning resource.

The outdoor play area was designed by the school grounds charity, Learning Through Landscapes. Features include an amphitheatre for story telling, an outdoor stage, a gazebo, tree seats, flower beds to be tended by the children and a tarmac area for all weather play and trike riding.

Ann Nash, leader of the All Saints’ Pre-School is very enthusiastic about the project:

"The garden is a fantastic resource. Our children will now be able to play and learn out of doors throughout the year. We are very grateful for the generous support we have received through Harrow Council."

Harrow Early Years advisory teacher Catherine Alderson commented

"By learning on a big scale outside through the rich experiences that can be afforded outdoors, children will gain stimulus and motivation ton develop their language and communication."

Councillor Christine Bednall, the Children’s Portfolio Holder for Harrow Council, praised the initiative:

"This is just the kind of community initiative and partnership we are seeking to encourage in Harrow. It’s a great project."

The garden project is phase one in developing the grounds and buildings of All Saints’ for greater community use. The plans include restoration of the historic listed Crosse Memorial within the churchyard and creating facilities for local schools to use the grounds, which are manage as a nature reserve, for environmental education.

Visit the parish's website at www.ashw.org.uk.