Philanthropist and Loddington CE Primary School team up to plant Coronation Garden for Food & Nature
Loddington CE Primary School has joined the Coronation Gardens for Food and Nature initiative, part of a widespread effort this year to empower communities in nurturing both food growth and wildlife habitats.
Under this initiative, pupils from Loddington CE Primary School recently gathered to plant plum, cherry, and crab apple trees in a corner of a field adjacent to their school. They were joined by 84-year-old George Cornelius, a devoted supporter of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire & Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust.
George, together with local farmer David Tanner, has spearheaded the transformation of a seasonal pond in the field into a permanent wetland, providing a vital habitat for local wildlife. Alongside the newly planted fruit trees, a herb garden and bird hide have been established, doubling as an outdoor classroom for the school community. Over the coming years, George and volunteers aim to nurture the site into a thriving sanctuary for wildlife.
Looking ahead to spring, plans include sowing wildflower strips, planting additional soft-fruit bushes, and installing large bird feeders. These feeders will be regularly stocked by the school community, fostering ongoing engagement with local biodiversity.
George Cornelius, reflecting on the project, shared his enthusiasm, saying, “It’s wonderful to create this Coronation Garden and welcome the schoolchildren to help improve the area for wildlife. We’ve seen plenty of birdlife including ducks, grebes, herons and a little egret. In the wooded edges there are badgers and some smaller mammals, but I hope wildlife will return in greater numbers. It’s wonderful that the community can enjoy this place and I hope, over time, pupils will be able to learn more about planting and harvesting as these trees grow and bear fruit. We will introduce more plants around the borders for pollinators and continue to improve the wetland, which is so important for insects.”
Pippa Wilcoxson, Teaching Assistant at Loddington CE Primary School, expressed the school's excitement, stating, “When we heard about George’s project, we were very excited to be involved. Our vision is to provide children with lifelong learning opportunities so that they’ll want to know more about the environment, animals, and nature throughout their lives. We hope the outdoor learning experience will inspire them protect the environment as well as enjoy it. Having somewhere we can use that is so close to the school is amazing. The children will have access to it all year round so they’ll be able to experience nature as it changes through the seasons. It’s a privilege to be involved in this project.”
Coronation Gardens for Food and Nature is run by The Wildlife Trusts, Incredible Edible, Garden Organic and the NFWI (National Federation of Women’s Institutes). The scheme, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, is empowering communities to grow food and help wildlife by creating space for nature in private gardens and in shared green spaces.