Page 12 - ALG Issue 1 2019

Book Reviews
Competition
School Allotment Plot Winners
Blidworth Oaks Primary School, Mansfield
At a presentation on Friday 19th October, pupils from Blidworth Oaks Primary School, Mansfield, were presented with a trophy by the NAS Allotment Mentor Adam Murphy. The children are now itching to spend the additional prize of £250 of gardening vouchers kindly donated from Nature’s Path, a family firm
and producer of organic and gluten free cereal, who actively encourage the education of kids and families about the environment and our planet. Kings Seeds also donated a selection of kitchen garden seeds. The judges were impressed by the involvement of the children in the garden and the wider benefits, the fact that chickens were also being cared for and the use of produce in the school kitchen.
Since starting the school vegetable garden in 2012, the effect of outdoor learning on the children has been fantastic. Children, who found difficulty engaging with school, have found a new purpose, and those, who needed a little extra time, have found a safe and peaceful place. Beyond that though, many children in school have become enthused to try new foods. The school kitchen is regularly stocked with veg from the allotment, and lots of the children now talk about their own allotments, or what they are growing at home... usually with grandad! Over the years the allotment has been extended to include a polytunnel, and the school are now able to host a class for an outdoor lesson
at any time of the year. This can range from Science to Maths, with some English on the way.
All in all, thanks to the allotment, the school are able to teach their children about their environment and healthy eating, along with conservation and recycling, whilst also bringing in everyday skills that children need in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.
They are also lucky enough to have won the East Midlands in Bloom award for Best Fruit and Vegetable Garden in the East Midlands. In 2016 and in 2017 the school grounds won the title of Best School Gardens in the East Midlands. They are an inspiration to us all.
We had some great entries
to the competition; everyone
had worked so hard and it was
a difficult job to pick the 3 other schools, St Teresa's Primary School, St Helens, Arnold Mill Primary School, Nottingham and Charlton Manor Primary School, who also won free membership of the National Allotment Society with their impressive entries.
Charlton Manor Primary School
St Teresa's Primary School
Arnold Mill Primary School
12
Hen and the Art of Chicken Maintenance, Reflections on a Life of Raising Chickens
Teaming with Fungi
By Jeff Lowenfels Timber Press, £17.99 Hardback
ISBN: 9781604697292
Exploring the uses of Mycorrhizal Fungi, Teaming with Fungi looks at the crucial role fungi can play in the success of most plants. Learn how the fungi works, how to grow, and how to optimise the advantages in the garden.
By Martin Gurdon Companion House, £14.99 Paperback
ISBN: 9781620082768
Following the ups and downs of chicken ownership, Martin Gurdon relives his first-hand experiences as a keeper of chickens in this entertaining updated second edition.
The Veg Table
By Erin Baker
£18.00, available from www.naturalcookeryschool.com Hardback
ISBN: 9781916476608
These vegetarian and vegan recipes were inspired by tables around the world.
The Veg Table is a collection of recipes taught and cooked by Erin for thousands of people every year. This book arrived on
my doormat at the weekend and even an omnivore like myself could not fail to look forward to trying some of these luscious recipes. I like the fact that the recipes range from Mexico via the Mediterranean over to the Far East. Fresh, full of flavour, and inspired by regional cuisine, they showcase a range of cookery techniques and a variety of ways to make meat free meals tempting and indulgent.