29 October 2008
"Make like a flower," Jardel Reid from Tyssen Community Primary School, recently planted bulbs in the gardens at the Stamford Hill estate (Hackney). (10.08)
Jardel Reid of Tyssen Community Primary School (Hackney) recently planted bulbs in an unused patch of garden at Southern Housing Group's Stamford Hill estate as part of The Big Tidy Up.
Jardel, and five other Year 3 'gifted and talented' pupils collected enough rubbish to fill several large bags, and then planted more than 200 daffodil and tulip bulbs that will blossom in the space that they also helped to clear.
The Big Tidy Up is an initiative of the Keep Britain Tidy campaign and Southern Housing Group is investing £500 in the project.
Marietjie Boonzaaier, the children's teacher, said that the Big Tidy Up gave the children the opportunity to learn some gardening skills and to understand how they can make a difference.
"Bahar Bezer, who lives at the Stamford Hill estate, benefited from playing with her class mates, learning how to plant bulbs and do an important job of beautifying where she lives. I'm really pleased with what the children have achieved."
"Working with the community and helping children to make a positive contribution to their environment is particularly important. I am very pleased we have been able to support the work of Southern Housing Group in improving the Stamford Hill estate. A significant number of our pupils come from this estate so they can see tangible evidence of the benefits of working together," said Sue Windross the Head Teacher of Tyssen Community School.
Groundwork East London and Southern Housing Group toiled all afternoon removing rubbish. The debris collected was enough to fill an entire skip.
Anabel Palmer, Director of Southern Housing Group's Foundation, thanked the children and the school for their hard work.
"Southern Housing Group is really pleased to have had the opportunity to work in partnership with Tyssen Community School. The partnership has had the double benefit of building a really valuable link between the school children and the estate that is on their doorstep, and, making a big difference to the external environment for Stamford Hill residents."
"Thank you Tyssen Community School for your help in making a positive impact on our estate," said Anabel.
Southern Housing Group is reviewing how they can improve the entire site to enable it to reach its potential. Stamford Hill is one of the Group's largest estates in Hackney with more than 517 units. -ends-
For more information please contact Karen Bermingham Communications Team on 020 7553 6479 communications@shgroup.org.uk