With your help this neglected space, right on our doorstep, could be transformed into something wonderful...
Help us grow a garden...
We want to create a fantastic outdoor space for the children of Allendale Pre School; a space for us all to be proud of and to inspire our children. A dedicated green space in which they will be free to play and explore, to develop confidence and a healthy relationship to physical activity and the natural world. We would love it if you could be part of making this happen!
Then watch our children grow.
Allendale is a small, vibrant rural community of which our charity run Pre School is a vital component. We all share a love of the outdoors and believe strongly in the positive impact outdoor learning has on children's well being and development - now more than ever given the current Covid 19 pandemic.
We already have the potential...
We have Forest School teachers on our staff, but although we regularly use community spaces such as river walks and the park our own outdoor space is sadly lacking. Our building overlooks the site of the former reception garden. Vacated over 5 years ago, we have watched as this garden has become overgrown and neglected. We now have an amazing opportunity to make this garden our own.
Now we have the possibility.
Northumberland County Council is in the process of drawing up a new lease for our Pre School, to include part of the old reception garden. This garden has only ever been separated from us by a single fence, but it has taken many years of steady determination to get to this point. We are more than ready to seize this opportunity and begin work to revitalize this valuable space, our first job will be to make the space safe.
Let's get stuck in...
With funding, and a lot of willing able helpers, we will:
- Lift and dispose of the old safety tarmac
- Clear broken structures
- Level the ground and resurface the area
The sky's the limit!
In time, with the children and your support, we will nurture this garden back to life:
- Paint a celebratory mural
- Plant a wild flower garden
- Build raised beds for vegetables
- Put up bird feeders
- Build a bug hotel
- Make a fire pit
- Create a den building area
- Discover a fairy corner...
If we raise £2000 it could become £7000 Yes, our target reads £7000. We know that sounds crazy. BUT in reality if we raise £2000 the Calor Rural Community Fund could match our target with an additional £5000. That makes £7000! It’s true, the award is highly competitive but the good news is that no matter what - we get to keep the £2000 for the project.
"Mighty oaks from little acorns grow"
This is a chance for the whole community to get behind an exciting new chapter in the life of our Pre School. Let's create something positive and enduring for our future. For every child this garden will be the fertile ground from which they can begin an educational journey of exploration and discovery.
"The best classroom and richest cupboard is roofed only by the sky", - Margaret McMillan 1925