Green-fingered pupils at Braddan Primary School have transformed a patch of wilderness into a flourishing flower and vegetable garden, with help from Cemex Island Aggregates Limited.

One year ago, as part of its 50th Anniversary celebrations, the Santon-based firm teamed up with the Department of Education to run the Cemex Scoillyn Glassey ('Green Schools') Award Scheme, designed to raise environmental awareness within the Island's schools.

Under the scheme, Braddan Primary School won a ?500 grant for its garden project design, a plan which has now become a reality through the hard work of the schoolchildren and their teachers.

The 'Creepy Crawly Garden', named by Emma Noon (age 6), began life as a scrub area within the school grounds. One year on, it is a thriving flower, herb and vegetable garden tended by all the children within their school day.

Year 5 pupil Luke Seed (age 9) was given the task of managing the project and, with the help of Miss Kettle, did a lion's share of the initial ground work, such as digging, hedge clearing and weed-killing.

Over time, the children have created a number of raised beds, one for each class, and have been allowed to plant vegetables (potatoes, broad beans, onions, sprouts and lettuce) and a variety of flowers. One bed has been specifically planted to attract bees, in order to show the vital role the insects play in pollination.

A composter has also been set up, teaching the children about the importance of practicing truly 'green' gardening. The grant from Cemex has been ploughed into key materials and the purchase of a small storage shed.

The children, who have kept a colourful scrapbook of their progress, are able to visit the garden freely, encouraging their enjoyment and sense of ownership.

Ronnie Corkish from Cemex, who officially 'opened' the garden today, comments: 'At a time when community gardening projects are becoming increasingly popular, this is a fantastic starting ground for the children. The whole project has been incredibly well thought-out and has made our 50th Anniversary very memorable - what's more, the garden will go on for a long time to come'.

Headteacher Louise Oates adds: 'It's been great for the children to have a really good project to get involved in. They're learning how easy it is to grow fruit and vegetables, which hopefully they will be able to eat in summer.

'They're also learning about the environmental aspect of gardening, through recycling and composting. It's also simply good for them to get out into the fresh air and learn in a different environment'.

Pictured: Cemex's Ronnie Corkish with Luke Seed (centre, in red) and fellow green gardeners