BRIDPORT: Primary school pupils are getting close to nature in a project teaching them about good food.

The HOME in Bridport organisation is redeveloping gardens at St Mary’s Primary School in Skilling Hill Road as part of a programme of learning, growing, cooking and eating for the 174 pupils of the school.

Robert Golden, founder of the HOME project, said: “The Home and Transition Town Bridport team and their partners in the school project are delighted at the joy and pleasure the developing garden has brought to the children, their parents and the school’s staff.”

Sarah Wilberforce, HOME representative and member of Transition Town Bridport, said she was thrilled that the uptake of school dinners has increased enormously in the autumn term since tasty fresh food picked from the garden had been introduced.

The children like the fact that they can choose their own nibbles in the salad bar, he added.

Funds for the project have come from various sources, including £1,000 from Magna Housing Association’s community initiative fund (CIF).

Ken Bodycombe, Magna’s community investment officer, said: “Our forum of residents, who decide where the CIF money is spent, were very pleased to support the project to revive the fruit and vegetable garden at St Mary’s primary school.

“The project has a direct impact on our residents, many of whom have children at the school. It’s a very practical enterprise, showing the pupils the link between food in the ground and the food we eat. It’s encouraging them to get involved and to eat healthy food they’ve grown themselves.”

The project continues to grow with events including a community lunch for 80 people, the building of a Cobb oven and children’s activities such as scarecrow making and an introduction to the Forest Schools, whose philosophy is to encourage and inspire individuals of any age through an innovative, long-term, educational approach to outdoor play and learning.

Two teachers and two part-time gardeners were sponsored by the HOME in Bridport project to take part in a Royal Horticultural Society Day at Bath City Farm where they learned about ideas for children’s gardening clubs.