A NEW local enterprise is helping Okehampton Primary School's green credentials grow further, through the donation of two cold frames collectively worth more than £250.

Westcountry Woodland Gardens project, set up by partners Okehampton resident Jim White, Mark Snellgrove from Marhamchurch and Tom Snellgrove, from Hatherleigh, seeks to combine locally grown and milled timber with craftsmanship to provide quality products for gardening and wildlife conservation.

The contribution is in recognition of the school's work in helping children learn about and act on environmental concerns as part of formal and extra-curricular activities.

Issues such as wildlife conservation, renewable energy generation, waste management, composting and growing plants for food have been actively explored by pupils, with guidance from the school's eco-coordinator, Fran Rickwood.

She said: 'The cold frames will help us to build further on this work and children will be able to continue their learning in growing their own plants and food, promoting healthy lifestyles combined with improving the quality of their local environment.

'It is very satisfying that we are now using our own compost — made from lunchtime green waste in the school's own composter.'

Mrs Rickwood said the project had effectively closed the loop between green waste, growing and food production.

She added: 'With more produce growing in the garden than ever before, I am eager for any extra help local people may be able to give — even an hour of weeding or watering here or there would be invaluable.'

Cold Frames are used to help grow plants from seeds, particularly where they need protection from wind and frosts, especially in the early part of the season.

Owner of Westcountry Woodlands Garden, Jim White, said: 'We aim to demonstrate practical opportunities to think globally and act locally with our products.

'My son is in his last term at Okehampton Primary School.

'Before he moves on to the college, this is my way of saying thank you to Fran and all the staff who have helped him and his young colleagues learn about the world they are growing up in, the skills they need to survive in and to help make it a better place.'

Westcountry Woodland Gardens will be at Okehampton Farmers' Market on Saturday, June 19, Okehampton Show on Thursday, August 12 and Chagford Show on Thursday, August 19.

For more information about volunteering phone Fran at the school on 01837 52866.