The Dear Green Place just got greener with school allotments

Published on Tuesday 6 October 2009 22:23

EVERY primary school in Scotland's biggest city is to be provided with an allotment to promote healthy eating to new generations and educate children about the environment.

The pilot project by Glasgow City Council will encourage thousands of pupils to live the good life by growing their own vegetables, fruit and flowers.

The local authority hopes that by teaching thousands of children about basic food costs, crop rotation and recycling, their parents and families will grow and cook fresh produce at home.

According to the Scottish Allotments and Gardens Society (SAGS), around 60 community groups eager for their own parcels of land have emerged in the past year.

The pilot scheme in Glasgow follows a successful partnership between a handful of schools and various local authority and private allotments.

Under the remit of the new scheme, which will require "minimal financial support", allotments will be created in the grounds of every school. Where space is unavailable, pupils will be allocated plots on existing sites nearby.

George Kay, 72, a volunteer who helps P6 and P7 pupils sow, maintain and harvest produce at Merrylee Primary, said: "The kids love getting their hands dirty, they're very keen. They see the rewards when a shoot appears, and want to learn about food."

Bailie James McNally, executive member for land and environmental services at the council, said: "Linking schools with allotment sites is a fantastic opportunity and an ideal way to educate our children about the benefits of allotment gardening in a fun and exciting way."

Like elsewhere in Scotland, demand for plots in Glasgow exceeds supply. There are 26 allotment sites in the city, all at full capacity, with more than 600 people on waiting lists.

In Edinburgh, around 2,100 people are on waiting lists, while nationwide, there are some 4,000 people on waiting lists.

SAGS, which wants to have one allotment for every 300 Scots by 2018, believes there were around 6,700 allotments as of 2007. In the late 1940s, the figure was between 65,000 and 75,000.

Ian Welsh, the society's vice-chairman, said interest had been buoyed partly by economic factors. However, the 59-year-old pointed out that many allotments had disappeared due to development.

Mr Welsh, who has tended to his own plot since 1976, said: "I came into it during The Good Life boom. It used to be people my age or older, but there are increasing numbers of young families, women and graduates. Groups have suddenly appeared out of nowhere."