High school allotment project wins environment award

A team of volunteer gardeners from Reepham High School & College (RHSC) has been honoured by Broadland District Council.
 
 

 
The school’s Allotment Project received a Highly Commended certificate in the category of Environmental Champion of the Year at last week’s Broadland Community at Heart Awards.
 
This award is given to an individual, business or community group who has made an extra effort to make a positive impact on their environment.
 
The awards celebrate the achievements of Broadland residents who have made an exceptional contribution to their community. A judging panel chose winners for the awards’ 11 categories from nominations made by members of the public.
 
RHSC’s Allotment Project started in February 2015 with one teacher and just a handful of helpers. It now has more than 50 volunteers of all ages, from the high school and sixth form college and including parents and staff, helping to grow organic produce for the school.
 
All produce is either used in the school kitchen or sold in the weekly market in Reepham.
 
Almost every part of the allotment has been built using recycled materials, such as old school fire doors, wooden pallets, sinks and car tyres.
 
The allotment collects its own rainwater, makes its own compost and uses no fossil fuels to help maintain the site: cutting the grass, for example, is done using sickles and scythes.
 
Students help out because they want to and often give up their lunch hour to get stuck in as there is always lots to do.
 
In 2016, the RHSC Allotment Project was in the top five of 3,500 schools in the Community Education Awards for “green sustainability” and was awarded “highly commended” overall.
 
In 2017, the Allotment Project came second in the Norwich and Norfolk Eco Awards secondary school category and was also awarded “highly commended”.
 
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