Education

School helps with aid package to Ukrainians

The Leweston School community joined forces to send essential aid to families in need in Ukraine as it became a ‘drop-off’ point for the lorry en route to Poland. Year 12 student Julia said: “Thousands of Ukrainian civilians had to flee from their country. Most of them found asylum in Poland, where residents are being offered transport and accommodation. People all over Europe are responding to this devastating time, and are donating vast amounts of food, hygiene essentials and clothing. For this reason, our Leweston community organised a collection of the most necessary products such as food, toiletries, medical equipment, children’s clothing. We are hoping that our donation will support and inform the women and children at the border, that they are not alone. The number of items given was massive, which was truly heartwarming to see. “Sixth form students volunteered to help with the segregation and packing donated items in Sherborne. This opportunity reminded us that selfless help is fullfeeling and wonderful. “Especially during time of Lent, it’s good to reflect on our own actions and how we can make positive contribution to the wider community.”

HELPING HANDS: Sixth formers at Leweston School with some of the aid for Ukraine refugees

BLOOMING: Teacher Herve Lereverend and two students from the RHS L2 Practical Horticulture course

Students digging in for Chelsea date

Horticulture students from West Dorset are digging in to create an exhibition for the Chelsea Flower Show. Poundbury Gardens near Dorchester is supplying shrubs and herbaceous perennials, as well as supporting staff, for Kingston Maurward College’s submission, named The Space Within Garden. The students’ submission will appear in the Sanctuary Garden category at RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May. Kingston Maurward’s horticultural students have been developing design ideas and potting up and growing plants donated by Poundbury Gardens, while wildlife and conservation students are building a sanctuary wall using reclaimed timber from the college estate. Platform structures for use in the exhibition garden are being built by the college’s welding, fabrication and blacksmithing department. A spokesman for Poundbury Gardens said the company’s donation to the garden exhibition forms part of the company’s initiative to support 15 community planting projects in celebration of its 15th anniversary. They added: “Designed by Kingston Maurward’s own garden designer, Michelle Brown, The Space Within Garden takes inspiration from the gardens of the French Riviera, combining styles from Europe and Dorset. “In keeping with the project’s zero waste philosophy, Mike Burks, managing director of The Gardens Group, which operates Poundbury Gardens, is supplying around 30 varieties of plants and recycled pots that have been brought back to the garden centres by customers. “Sourced locally, the herbaceous perennials include Omphalodes Cherry Ingram, Heuchera Green Spice and Tiarella Pink Skyrocket, with Buxus sempervirens, Fatsia japonica Variegata Sarcococca Ghorepani.” The Space Within Garden will be among 12 Sanctuary Gardens on show at RHS Chelsea Flower Show from Tuesday, May 24 to Saturday 28. The Gardens Group operates three centres at Poundbury, Sherborne and Yeovil.