Green-fingered Pupils take on Upcycling Challenge

Over 180 pupils from Cundall Manor School are taking on a ‘Boot Camp’ with a difference.

Pupils from the school have joined forces with soldiers from 6 Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps (6RLC) based in Dishforth and six other local schools who are putting old army boots through their paces this spring.

Members of 6 Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps (6RLC) based in Dishforth are working in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Community Outreach Team in Yorkshire. Together they are hosting a competition called ‘Boot Camp’.

The initiative is all part of the RHS Greening Grey Britain campaign aimed at inspiring community groups to transform the spaces where they live.

In total more than 500 pupils are taking up the challenge. Pupils from the school were invited to the base for a day of activities including an introduction to 6RLC and a ‘how to’ workshop delivered by the RHS.

Each child was given a decommissioned army boot together with a ‘grow your own’ starter kit including seeds, compost and seed trays along with hints and tips. The children will then have three months to get creative and come up with striking planting combinations to impress the judges.

The boots will be judged by the RHS and many will go onto be shown at RHS Harlow Carr’s Flower Show on 23 – 25 June, thereafter, the boots will be repurposed at the Dishforth camp. Family and friends are invited to sponsor each child’s creation by making a ‘Just Giving’ donation online. The money raised is being used to contribute towards a wider project to create a Memorial Garden Project at Dishforth to honour members of the 6RLC, past and present.

The Commanding Officer of 6RLC, Lieutenant Colonel Tim Crossland said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the regiment to connect with our new community. Today gives the children two things: an insight into army life; and some tangible, practical skills to get growing.”

Libby Goodacre, RHS Community Development Manager for the North of England added: “We’re delighted to be working with the regiment and local pupils. We are really looking forward to seeing the creative upcycling ideas using the old army boots. I’m sure they’ll be a huge talking point amongst visitors when they go on display at the Harlow Carr Flower Show in June.”

Marketing Manager for Cundall Manor School, Paul Swalwell said: “It is great for so many of pupils from our school to get involved in such a wonderful project. The children enjoyed the day at the base learning more about gardening and finding out about how their effort will contribute to the community.”