David Attenborough visits Petersham school (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

David Attenborough visits Petersham school

3:37pm Wednesday 29th April 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

TV naturalist David Attenborough was in Petersham this week to officially open a new wildlife garden.

Sir Attenborough, who lives in Richmond, was at the Russell Primary School, in Petersham Road, to see the garden yesterday - which had been transformed from a neglected patch of land full of brambles and nettles to an oasis of plants and creatures in 12 months.

The development of the garden was led by pupils in the school’s wildlife club, led by teachers’ assistant Carly Franckeiss, year six pupils have planted plants and bulbs, dug and developed the garden during working weekends and after school.

Cash for the project was provided by the It’s Your Community Scheme run by telecommunications giant O2 and further money was given by the school’s parent teacher association.

It will be used as a resource for the pupils and headteacher Darren Harrison said the school hoped in the future to build an observation cabin with a hide and nest box camera so children can watch nesting birds and growing chicks.

“It will be a pleasure to see this garden open,” he added. “It’s very important youngsters understand the world around them, and that they can learn in real life environments, as well as from textbooks.

“Our wildlife group’s work on this garden has been really impressive.”

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)