Yesterday, it rained, hailed and snowed, and all before it was 9am. Like the rest of Somerset, we have had record breaking rain fall this winter. The land is saturated. When it rains, the lanes turn into streams, as the water runs off the fields. Some stretches are best described as fords. Fortunately, we are not in the part of Somerset where the roads have turned into waterways. Their roads have been like it for weeks and my heart goes out to the people living on the Levels at the moment, and coping with flooded houses. In contrast, our roads soon clear. I only write this to set the scene for our latest adventure. It’s all very boggy.
I don’t usually write about school, but I am so inspired by their determination to plant trees yesterday. They are planting a copse of trees. One tree for every child at the school. Yesterday, as the snow came down, 6o+ intrepid 7-11 year old children, a gaggle of parents and some awesome teachers set off to walk the mile across the sodden fields, carrying spades, to begin the planting. The snow did stop, much to the relief of some.
Each child planted a tree. They planted trees for the younger ones who would have found the expedition challenging. Older siblings were able to plant the trees for their brothers/sisters in the younger classes. BL planted a silver birch for TF and an oak for herself. Eventually the name of each child will be attached to their tree. The idea is that this copse will be an outside classroom for the school. How special to be able to go there and find your own special tree.
And then we all traipsed back. By this stage some of the children were muddy and glad to be wearing waterproofs, while others appeared to have floated over the muddy fields and were immaculate. I have no idea how!
I am glad that my children go to a school where weather does not deter them from taking the children on such an expedition. This is not a one off. It was raining on the last field trip I accompanied them. Lots of standing around in the pouring rain.
So the trees are all planted. Plenty of rain to bed them in. I hope all their trees grow strong.
(I used my mobile to take the photos. It really wasn’t the day to be lugging anything bigger!)
I’m back joining in with Fiona’s #CountryKids. (Special hello to anyone hopping over from there. Nice to see you all!)
what a fabulous project, great to have schools getting kids out whatever the weather
Not a single moan! Well not that I heard.
What a wonderful idea of the school, they must have a good plot of land to be able to do this, or is it community land? I hope they all survive the boggy weather and begin to flourish in spring. Lovely to see you back on Country Kids.
A local farmer is letting them use part of his land. He’s doing a lot of tree planting himself, so the area should be amazing. At least the trees are well watered, but I’m so looking forward to a bit of let up in the weather.
What a wonderful thing to do, this must have been such a great sight. It’s always great to get outdoors – I was going to say whatever the weather but there’s a storm in progress at the moment so I’ll take that back! As you we’re counting ourselves lucky we’re not flooded, hope you’re good 🙂
It was a sight to see all the children busy collecting and planting the trees. Very busy on the hillside. Everyone helping each other and sharing spades. Good to see.
That’s such a brilliant school project. I couldn’t help think how one day they’ll visit there when the trees are full grown and remember this day. #countrykids
I hope they do all revisit it in years to come. I also hope it plays a big part in the rest of their time at the school. I’m glad I could be part of it too.
That’s a brilliant project, and great that weather didn’t deter them. A really lovely idea x #CountryKids
It wasn’t the weather that you would choose, for sure!
Well done the school, both for organising the tree planting and managing to go ahead! Before moving to France I used to work on projects like this with school in the South East and I still miss the look of achievement on a child’s face after planting their very own tree.
There is something special about planting your own tree. Rotten weather, but it made it even more of an adventure.
It’s great that they get outside regardless of the rain – and how lovely to have their own special trees x
It is a lovely project.
This is absolutely fabulous, what an amazing project. Great experience for them now, but how wonderful in years to come when they can visit their trees x #CountryKids
I love it when projects like this come along. A good, local, community project.
What a lovely thing to do #CountryKids
It will be interested to see how it develops.
What a wonderful project for the school to do!
It’s going to be a lovely one to watch in the years to come.
What a fab school and such a lovely idea! I love that they will know which tree is theirs (I always take pics on my phone atm) #Countrykids
I can imagine them making a bee line to their tree, when the school visits. 🙂
what a wonderful inspiring project!!
Isn’t it? Glad to add my support.