Scouts in the allotment

Scouts in the allotment

I was approached earlier this year by a member Bosworth in Bloom who asked me if I would I meet Kim about an allotment. Kim wondered if the Scout group could do with a patch of her allotment to help with their gardening badges. A plan was hatched between Kim and I, and our leaders excited by the opportunity, all agreed to take part.

Peter and Peter (yes I know two Peters) from Bosworth in Bloom first met our Monday Cubs (aged 8-10) to show them how to dig out their plot. Then the Scouts were given a plot (aged 10-14) and Peter told me they listened far better. Next turn was the Beavers Scouts (aged 6-8) and at that point I could see the terror in his eyes.

As I used to be a Beaver Scout Leader I assured him it would be ok, although I couldn’t make it, to help that night! I did check in after the visit and the feedback was “The Beaver Scouts were the best behaved out of all the age groups” – well done Beaver Scouts. The Beavers Scouts also decided to do a sunflower competition and planted individual pots to take home. Fridays Cubs also got a plot and met Peter and Shelia.

It wasn’t just a bit of digging, on each of these occasions, Peter from Bosworth in Bloom took the young people around the allotment and explained about the different plants. The young people really enjoyed the talk, they listened very well and asked great questions. Do be proud of our schools as the young people from age 6 to 14 knew the word photosynthesis and the process!

I took Friday cubs back this week to sow their seeds, provided to us by Bosworth in Bloom for free. Carrots, spring onions, beetroot and radish. I asked the young people to leave enough room between the seeds and watched them diligently carry out the task. I must admit there was a couple of less careful young people. A leaders’ child (it’s always a leaders child) poured ten carrot seeds in the same place covered them over and looked at me confidently to say they had done it exactly how I asked. The Cubs are looking forward to seeing the “veg from their labour” in the coming months. I am curious how the ten seeded carrot will turn out.

A big thank you to Bosworth in Bloom and to Kim, Peter, Peter and Shelia.

May 2023.