Green skills bear fruit at the Wokingham Growing Places awards
Green-fingered gardeners with learning disabilities from Wokingham Resource and Opportunity Centre (WROC) have been working hard on their horticultural skills at the Growing Places project. And on Wednesday April 25, Wokingham Borough Council Mayor Cllr Angus Ross presented some of the gardeners with certificates to recognise their skills at the Growing Places Awards.
The gardeners of Wokingham Growing Places have learned to sow seeds, look after seedlings and care for plants in the ground and in the greenhouse, as well as developing their creative skills making flower arrangements and hanging baskets for selling. At the awards they were congratulated on their achievements by the Mayor and received certificates that they can show to family and friends as recognition of their skills – and can even use to show a wider audience the extent of their abilities.
“Existing national award schemes are not flexible enough to reflect the achievements of such a wide range of individual gardeners as we have at Growing Places,” said horticultural therapist Margaret Larby. “The Growing Places Awards reflect the amazing efforts put in by gardeners. They have retained the skills they’ve learned and they constantly apply them - hence the very high standard of plants we grow and sell. Their abilities are often underestimated and these certificates will give them something to show to visitors, students and staff at the project, something they can be proud of.”
The Wokingham awards were not only for horticultural achievements. Both individuals and groups who had contributed to the Growing Places project in particular ways received recognition. The conservation group, who do planting and propagation of wildflowers at local nature reserves, were recognised for their commitment to demanding conservation work. The “mural” group received awards for their work helping to produce a mural, which brightens up the wall at Turgis Court Farm in Hampshire, where the project is based.
“Helping to teach the pupils of Addington School, who now attend Growing Places on a regular basis, is recognised as a wonderful achievement and has brought out qualities in our gardeners that have amazed us,” said Margaret. “In fact, high standards are noticeable in all that they do, whether it is mutual support and encouragement or passing on their knowledge to pupils.
“We have been pleased to see the enthusiasm shown by all who attend Growing Places - not just the gardeners but also the staff, volunteers and students on placement.”
Presenting the awards, Wokingham Cllr Ross said: “Growing Places is a special place and I enjoyed my visit there last year and seeing so many familiar faces today. Providing recognition to those with difficulties by receiving awards here is great and all deserve to be very proud of their achievements. A lot of hard work by staff, helpers and gardeners has gone into Growing Places this year and I am delighted to see such dedication and skill from all the gardeners. I know everyone will keep up the good work!”
The gardeners of Wokingham Growing Places have learned to sow seeds, look after seedlings and care for plants in the ground and in the greenhouse, as well as developing their creative skills making flower arrangements and hanging baskets for selling. At the awards they were congratulated on their achievements by the Mayor and received certificates that they can show to family and friends as recognition of their skills – and can even use to show a wider audience the extent of their abilities.
“Existing national award schemes are not flexible enough to reflect the achievements of such a wide range of individual gardeners as we have at Growing Places,” said horticultural therapist Margaret Larby. “The Growing Places Awards reflect the amazing efforts put in by gardeners. They have retained the skills they’ve learned and they constantly apply them - hence the very high standard of plants we grow and sell. Their abilities are often underestimated and these certificates will give them something to show to visitors, students and staff at the project, something they can be proud of.”
The Wokingham awards were not only for horticultural achievements. Both individuals and groups who had contributed to the Growing Places project in particular ways received recognition. The conservation group, who do planting and propagation of wildflowers at local nature reserves, were recognised for their commitment to demanding conservation work. The “mural” group received awards for their work helping to produce a mural, which brightens up the wall at Turgis Court Farm in Hampshire, where the project is based.
“Helping to teach the pupils of Addington School, who now attend Growing Places on a regular basis, is recognised as a wonderful achievement and has brought out qualities in our gardeners that have amazed us,” said Margaret. “In fact, high standards are noticeable in all that they do, whether it is mutual support and encouragement or passing on their knowledge to pupils.
“We have been pleased to see the enthusiasm shown by all who attend Growing Places - not just the gardeners but also the staff, volunteers and students on placement.”
Presenting the awards, Wokingham Cllr Ross said: “Growing Places is a special place and I enjoyed my visit there last year and seeing so many familiar faces today. Providing recognition to those with difficulties by receiving awards here is great and all deserve to be very proud of their achievements. A lot of hard work by staff, helpers and gardeners has gone into Growing Places this year and I am delighted to see such dedication and skill from all the gardeners. I know everyone will keep up the good work!”
Wokingham Borough Council
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