Catch up with Carey’s work here!
The Poly & Allotment
What a roasty-toasty summer it has been – sometimes a bit too hot to work in the polytunnel! The sunshine did wonders for the tomatoes, though, which turned out super delicious. The children especially loved picking and eating them straight from the vine. The Peas were also a big hit, “we just can’t stop eating these peas Mrs Flowers!” Our green beans almost took over the tunnel this year – some grew a foot long, fit for a giant! Their flowers were a favourite with the bees, and the children loved splitting them open to discover the beautiful mottled beans inside. Carrots were wonderfully wonky, producing funny shapes that caused lots of giggles. The chard grew tall and leafy, perfect for making giant fans.
We had loads of ladybirds this year – known collectively as a “loveliness” of ladybirds! The children had great fun spotting them everywhere, and we were glad to see them helping keep the pesky aphids under control.
A big thank you to our allotment friends and Saturday club who produced a bumper crop this year. Dozens of squashes (what a haul!), along with loads of fruit perfect for making juice and fruit leathers. The children are looking forward to carving the squash next month. Our allotment and Saturday group have also been working hard reclaiming the site from brambles, thistles, and nettles – a huge well done for all their efforts!
Much of the produce went home in bags filled with onions, tatties, beans, carrots and peas. Here is one of the children enjoying his favourite dinner of mince and tatties, made with produce fresh from the garden!
The Bog Garden
Our bog garden is thriving, and this summer we were lucky enough to spot a dazzling damselfly hovering over it. We also have a young resident frog who seems quite at home in his territory.
Our Trusty Tractor!
The most loved new feature in the garden is our handmade wooden tractor. Built by the talented team at Dunbar Shed, with timber generously donated by Thistle and Treetek, the tractor has quickly become a firm favourite. The children can’t get enough of it – clambering on, playing imaginatively, and creating endless adventures. It’s a real joy to watch them enjoy it so much.
The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party
This season’s garden open day had a special twist – we hosted a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party in the Beehive Garden! These open days are a wonderful chance for new parents and carers to meet each other, and for me to welcome new volunteers to our monthly gardening sessions.
The day was filled with sunshine, giggles, and just a touch of Mad Hatter magic. Parents and carers chatted happily while children enjoyed glitter tattoos, treasure hunts, “pin the tail on the rabbit,” and best of all, sipping juice from dainty teacups (which they absolutely adored!).
A huge thank you to Reuse Scotland for the loan of the teacups, and to everyone who came along, including the fantastic volunteers from the Grammar. Your help made the day a real success. We were delighted to receive such lovely feedback from one of the parents –
“It was a gorgeous event. Cass and I had a brilliant time searching for the pictures, and the glitter tattoos were a huge hit. She really enjoyed showing me around the garden. It was lovely to meet other parents and carers, and all of the super volunteers from the High School. The beautiful teacups absolutely made the tea party!”
The Green Team
Michael and Gordon have been getting stuck into all sorts of activities this summer. They’ve been pottering away in their own garden, lots of tatties again this year and a cabbage! Their flowers have been beautiful too. We all planted Cosmos together and I have to admit, theirs put mine to shame – mine just didn’t thrive. They also visited Belhaven to do some fruit picking; the plums went straight into a fruit crumble!
Recently, the guys enjoyed a trip to Dunbar Garden centre, where they picked out some new plants before heading off on a walk to the iconic Dunbear. Another summers highlight was a visit to Lauderdale for a tour with head gardener Kenny. He gave the guys a warm welcome and showed them around the flower beds, teaching them how to deadhead the blooms. Gordon was absolutely over the moon when Kenny let him have a go with the leaf blower – I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so delighted!
And Finally – drum roll please!
The best news of the season, thanks to Naomi’s sheer grit and determination we have secured funding for the next 3 years! The Beehive will keep on buzzing!
A wholehearted thanks to Naomi, all the team, our volunteers, and our partners for everything! Best wishes, Mrs Flowers!