Children from East Acton Primary Get Digging

Trip to Chiswick Kitchen Garden enjoyed by all

Children from East Acton Primary School enjoyed digging, planting and the delights of growing their own vegetables during a session at the Kitchen Garden in Chiswick House Grounds this week.

Karen Liebreich, who runs the sessions, has been working with school children from Hounslow and Ealing boroughs as well as other volunteers to make this kitchen garden a wonderful resource for local children.

Many of the children who work in the garden have never seen vegetables growing before.

The East Acton children always come by bus and spend most of the day in the park. "They worked really hard and we got lots done," said Karen. "Some of them sowed sweet pea seeds and broad beans, others shovelled compost, some divided up rhubarb plants... they were very busy. I expect they will sleep well tonight."

After the work session the children always have a picnic. "They were rather appalled when they were asked to pick radishes, fennel, salad and sprouting broccoli for the end-of-session picnic, and tasted it all very warily. But soon they were grabbing for more and it all disappeared, accompanied by some home-grown and -made leek and potato soup."

For the last three years the kitchen gardens have been restored, by Karen and a team of volunteers, to their former glory. There are drop-in sessions where adults and other children can come and work one Sunday a month. The next one is on Sunday 2nd March, 1-5pm.

February 7, 2008