Oh What a Day to Lay A Rubber Pathway - Phase 2 - The Sequel

We've had the boys from Rhino Play come visit again to lay the second part of the rubber path. This now gives even more access to our students to expand their opportunities in the horticulture project here at WESC. 

Everyone can now enjoy even more of the horticulture area as the previous path that was laid was extended to further expand the working area. It certainly links everything up nice and no longer does the path lead to nowhere! Check out the great work done.

Our New Green Gracious Tenacious Team Complete the Herbaceous Border

Another project completed as a couple of our new

Monday volunteers, Faye & Julie get their hands dirty assisting with the planting of plants to fill the herbaceous border. Check it out below!

Great job!

If you'd be interested in volunteering in either of our horticulture projects based at Topsham Road or West Hill then please get in touch. 

Email Dylan on DCheshire@wescfoundation.ac.uk

or for West Hill, Email Patrick on PPhillips@wescfoundation.ac.uk

or to speak to someone about volunteering opportunities 

call 01392 454200

Curiosity project

Earlier this year, WESC Foundation were awarded a grant from the BBC Children in Need and Wellcome Trust programme - Curiosity.

The aim of the curiosity project was to engage children and young people in science based activities. WESC students were encouraged to be curious about the natural environment and learn in a more hands- on way in the horticultural area.

The students gained confidence in their ability to safely interact with the physical environment of plants and soil. They developed skills in working together and supporting each other whilst taking part in practical activities. 

 

They enjoyed locating the wildlife camera, checking out different soil samples for PH levels, siting the new hedgehog house and being brave enough to experience handling insects! 

Alongside this, once the willow arch was planted, students were taught how to monitor the growth using tactile sensation to feel how many new leaves and branches grew every week.

All of the students really enjoyed learning outside of the classroom environment and making science a more active experience.

   

Opening of the new greenhouse

It was a very special time in the WESC garden today when the official opening of the new greenhouse took place.  Peter Bond an ex student, keen gardener and advocate of producing home grown food kindly donated the greenhouse in memory of Otie his much loved assistance dog.  

He brought along a very popular guest in the form of Goldie his new assistance dog who at 13 1/2 weeks old really stole the show!

The greenhouse will be well used by students and staff alike so a big thank you from all of us at WESC.

Thanks Peter!

Pergola's and pathways

WESC was really pleased to welcome a group of volunteers taking part in the NCS, National Citizen Service, which offers voluntary personal and social development for 15-17 year olds.

The weather didn't disappoint and there was plenty for the group to get their teeth into.

The plan was to create a peaceful space for a seated pergola which students and staff could enjoy. 

This has been kindly donated in memory of Darin by his family so is very special.  

They started by marking out the edges of the designated area and then clearing the ground ready to level it.

The group lifted the turf and raked the area 

They measured the area to lay the landscape fabric which will help to reduce the amount of weeding in this seating area

they then mulched the area with bark chippings

and finished it off by placing the pergola itself. Around this will be planted cotinus, viburnum, gunnera and bamboo.

The group carried out other jobs such as painting the arch 

and the posts into the wildlife garden - they had even fundraised for the paint they used!

A brilliant job, well done!

Their next job was to prepare a pebble pathway to the cold frame.  They started by marking out the path 

and then continued by lifting the turf

raking the area to level the ground

and putting the landscape fabric down and adding the pebbles.

The final job was to level off the pebbles.  

This NCS group fundraised with bucket collections for the paint for the posts and pergola along with asking at garden centre's for any plant donations.  Thank you goes to one young person who did really well with a donation from Wyevale Garden Centre at Sidmouth. 

A fabulous team - well done!

Flaming July

With the sun continuing to shine and the willingness of enthusiastic volunteers, the WESC garden continues to thrive.

We were very pleased to have a team from Exeter University offer to help tidy up and clear some of the wildlife garden.

They weeded under the trees, turned the soil and then mulched the very poor soil with tons of compost

They then helped level the ground and define the borders using branches from the silver birch which we felled

The team then planted out the borders with persicaria bistorta and alchemilla mollis - both donated by Sarah at West Hill Nurseries.  They  planted hydrangea paniculata donated by Stephanie. and also planted buddleja davidii and digitalis purpurea from seedlings which have been grown on at WESC.

Whilst work in the wildlife area was underway another group helped to rectify the damage the rabbits had done to the lavender path.  The decision was made to put chicken wire down and plant the lavender through this in order to prevent the plants from being dug up.

 

The team did a great job with this fiddly task and the lavender beds that line the path are really filling out now - thank you

Another job on the list was to site the wildlife pond



 and install a solar pump which the NCS fundraised for.  

The log bench area is a great place to sit and now with the pond attracting wildlife it just got even better.

Thanks everyone for your help.