Bulb Planting at St Sampson’s Infant School

At a meeting with St Sampson’s Infant School Head Teacher Mrs Blundell, Bloomers Chairman Anita Barratt put forward the idea of planting a spiral maze in Yellow Cheerfulness Narcissus. Two interlocked spirals of flower would form a path from one side of the maze to the other firstly spiralling into the centre and then spiraling out again in the opposite direction. Mrs Blundell immediately liked the idea of the maze and the school grounds were walked to find a suitable planting location.

An area close to the class rooms on a slight slope beside some trees was the perfect place. Mrs Blundell wanted to involve every child in the school with planting the bulbs, but also with learning about how they grow, why the bulbs should be planted in the soil and which way up, so many questions to answer. Children were all given bags of bulbs which had to be sorted and counted to make sure each class had the same amount. The children were shown pictures of the flowering bulb and how the bulbs would grow.

A date was set for the planting, children were sent home with a note to bring wellingtons and parents invited to assist. Cricklade Bloomers also helped with planting.

Planting Day 29th November 2006

The first class to plant the bulbs stand around the prepared spirals. Teacher Mrs Barnett in the centre shows the children how to plant the bulbs.

Snow fell the night before planting but this didn’t deter the children and helpers. Teachers and parents had laid out the two spirals the day before and lifted the turf to one side to be replaced after planting.

April 2006. Children enjoying walking amongst the fragrant Daffodils in the Spiral Maze. A fantastic achievement by the whole school.

It was a joy to be involved with helping the children at the infant school, who clearly enjoyed planting and getting muddy.

The school also have a garden club that meets to do various projects such as looking after the pots and tubs around the school.

Future School Projects

Cricklade Bloomers have been asked to help the school create a new fragrant sensory garden.  This will be an exciting project working closely with the school to create a garden with the children.

Cricklade Bloomers Audit of Maintenance Responsibilities

In January 2006 Bob Jones and John Barratt walked around the whole Town recording areas that required some form of ground maintenance, hedge trimming, weeding etc.

Cricklade Bloomers have found that there are several areas that were not being maintained at all or not being maintained at the correct time.

The purpose of the audit was to produce a map of the town with areas colour coded to show who should be maintaining them and at what frequency. Cricklade Bloomers would liaise with the authorities over any areas that were not being maintained.

This is a huge project and is still ongoing, but it is hoped that by understanding who is responsible for all the large and small areas around the Town and establishing good communications with the local authorities concerned with maintenance that we will gradually fulfill our task of improving the Town.

Our first success has been the liaison with Westlea Housing Association. Westlea are maintaining their areas to a much higher standard and liaising with residents to assist them with community areas.

Improved Access to North Meadow National Nature Reserve

Work has been carried out this year by English Nature to improve access to North Meadow. Cricklade resident Councillor Rod Case who uses a mobility scooter to get around the Town has advised English Nature on the project to improve access at North Meadow. A new Radar key gate and ramp has been installed.

The Reserve is one of the finest examples of lowland hay meadow in Europe ; it is protected as a Special Area of Conservation and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

North Meadow is famous for its rare snake’s head fritillaries and holds 80% of the British population of these.

Around 6,000 visitors come to North Meadow each year, mainly to see the fritillaries. It is hoped that more disabled able people will now be able to enjoy the delights of North Meadow.