Woodland learning
Not even the drizzle could dash the smiles on the Hilltop Primary School children’s faces as they proudly introduced their Enchanted Garden to Crawley VIPs.
Originally the site was open grass grounds except for a mature oak and mountain ash. The School approached Rob Demel of Luna Projects and asked if he would help them to set out and establish a woodland learning environment for their children and staff.
Rob said, “With the considerable help from Connick Tree Care, supplying heavy gauge planked oak and many cubic metres of woodchip, we were able to achieve a substantial area with woodland pathways lined with natural hedge planting”.
Mike Connick, Managing Director of Connick Tree Care said, “On average we ship out 50 tonnes of wood chip per week to various Biomass renewable energy plants. So it’s wonderful to find an additional local use for the woodchip through Rob’s Luna Projects”.
Children from the school were involved throughout the design process and instrumental for the inspiration of the sculptural elements.
A circle of sculpted thrones depicting native woodland creatures, where the children can role play or hold court was created. A horse shoe shaped bench with a central sculptural element of two large owl book ends holding an opened book, creates a tranquil story telling area. These beautiful sculptures are set within a hazel hurdle fence.
The children were involved with the planting of hundreds of native woodland flowers, putting their finger print on a legacy for many future generations of children.
Luna Projects specialises in bespoke timber work, landscaping and planting for schools, private individuals and corporations.