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What did you do before you came to Bladon?
I have spent my entire career (20 yrs almost!) in Commercial Horticulture. I gained a BSc Degree in Commercial Horticulture from Writtle College. During my career I have been involved in the research of UK plant production, for Horticulture Research International, (HRI - now Warwick HRI, affiliated to Warwick University) in addition to being Technical/Operations Manager for two commercial production nurseries, one of which produced over 200 million bedding and perennial plants per year.
What are your plans for developing Horticulture at Bladon House School?
Bladon House School offers unique opportunities in horticulture. It has good facilities and grounds in which to integrate horticulture within the framework of the school, for the benefit of both students and staff. In addition to me, the Horticulture team includes Kate Grouse, who is working principally on animal husbandry and Jane Turpin, who is working on horticulture. Before I arrived Kate had already introduced pigs and chickens and we are in process of expanding the collection, with the addition of a flock of egg laying hens.
Our two current pigs, Bernie and Baggins will have some new temporary neighbours in the form of piglets, which will be taken through and sold as pork at Christmas. This echoes the commercial principles on which the site will be developed. The students will be actively involved at each stage of the farming process, from the construction of hen houses, pig arks and fencing paddocks, through to the welfare and upkeep of the animals (feeding and cleaning out).
In association with the Enterprise scheme, which is already a great success at the school, students will be involved in their sale and the calculation of profit! Looking ahead we hope to expand the egg laying flock, whilst introducing breeding hens. In addition to pigs we also intend to have lambs for the spring and a new batch of chickens which will be ready for the Easter market.
On the horticultural side of the project, the main focus for 2009 will be the commercial production of vegetables and fruit. We plan to have fresh seasonal produce available throughout the year. This produce will be used by the caterer’s on site so the food students produce is seen all the way through to their plates! Students already sell produce via a local Garden Centre and to staff. We will be expanding this link with the local community through the sale of plants and vegetable boxes. This will allow the students to interact with members of the public and gain confidence in growing and selling. Students already make weekly visits to Stapenhill Nursery, which is run by the local council. The council has offered the school the opportunity to use their glasshouse facilities for plant production, which we will also be taking up.
The School is working with external bodies such as Garden Organic and the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) as part of their partnership schemes for schools in horticulture. An orchard is planned, which will have over fifty fruit trees (apples, pears, plums, etc) plus a large soft fruit area. A natural willow wood is to be planted which will provide materials for basket making, natural fencing etc.
The polytunnel on site will allow us to produce indoor salads in season, as well as giving us a facility where the production of flowering plants can be carried out - hanging baskets, flowering tubs, as well as growing plants to be used in the grounds. We will also be developing a wildlife area including a pond and a sensory garden.
My aim is that Bladon House School will be seen as an Horticultural Centre of Excellence in the Midlands and provide valuable life skills not only to our youngsters but also other young people within the SENAD Group and in the wider community. |
