The thrill of bug hunting at the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre
Brent Council has responded to a Wembley Matters request and provided further details on the re-opening of the Wesh Haro Envirinmental Education Centre to primary school goups in April.
The £30k Brent Council found will be split with £10k for refurbishment of the classroom block and £20k towards Thame 21's running costs.
The charge to schools with be £10 per child for a full day and £6.50 per child for the 2 hour half-day session.
Brent Council said:
The new charge balances the need to make this provision affordable with ensuring it’s sustainable.
We will be keeping the finances under review and monitoring demand in case we need to consider any changes.
School bookings are currently on track to reopen on Monday
20th April and schools can book by emailing Thames21 at welshharpcentre@thames21.org.uk.
The Welsh Harp Environmental Centre has been thrown a lifeline after its closure last summer. Brent Council has allocated £30,000 to repair the classrooms that are in very poor condition and were flooded during the winter.
The Council has reached an agreement with Thames 21 to run classes at the Centre from April, ahead of the May local election, Thames 21 gave up running the Centre in Summer 2025 because of the high running costs but have now agreed to return. No details have been released on the financial arrangements that would ensure viability in the future and the charges that will be made to schools. At the time of closure the charge was £5 per pupil. Primary schools across the borough are facing budgetary problems, including those caused by falling pupil numbers, so the charge will be an important factor.
A petition was launched after the closure announcement that reached 401 signatures LINK despite the fact that schools were on holiday when the campaign got underway.
The petition urged the Council:
We residents and people who work or study in Brent call on
Brent Council to undertake a full scoping exercise to enable the
work of the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre (WHEEC) with
primary age children to continue. This work, which has been going
on for more than half a century is even more important at a time of
a climate and ecological emergency. It is imperative that the
generation that will be dealing with this emergency in the future
are enabled to experience and appreciate the natural world that is
now under threat.
Brent Council in today's Press Release hints at a possible return to the original idea that space would be provided in the 16-25 Skills Centre planned for the site:
Brent Council is also working on longer-term plans for a larger,
permanent home for environmental education at Welsh Harp where, among
other things, young people with special educational needs and
disabilities will be able to access a range of training opportunities,
including horticulture. ·
Pupils and staff from Carlton Vale Infants Schools at a previous campaign to Save the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre - decades ago!
I will be presenting the petition calling on Brent Council to make every effort to continue the work of the Welsh Harp Environment Education Centre with primary school pupils after the withdrawal of Thames21, at the next Full Council on Monday September 15th.
The aim is to provide space within the new SEND 16-25 Provision for primary schools to work on the Life Processes and Living Things aspects of the Science National Curriculum, getting first hand experience. This will need another provider to run the courses and importantly classroom space in the new building.
Statements from the Council have lacked clarity with some suggesting that the building will only be used by the SEND students, leaving no physical space and thus no time in the school day for primary pupils.
A statement from a Capital Projects Manager (rather than the lead members for Environment or Schools) focuses on the building and says..'
it
should be noted that the Council has exciting plans to deliver a new Welsh Harp
Horticultural Centre. The Council’s vision is to deliver a horticultural
educational service to two specific groups 1) 5–11-year-old pupils and 2)
16–25-year-old SEND young people with two separate partner agencies as the
Council’s long-term partners.'
It is not a 'horticultural service for primary pupils' that we are fighting for but the scuence curriculum referred to above.
They wax lyrical on what the building will offer, and it is impressive, but more important is the education that will be offered, particulaly for a generation who will be faced with all the challenges of climate chance and loss of biodiversity. This section of the statement seems to forget the primary pupils:
The
primary purpose of this centre is to create much needed facilities for special
educational needs and disability (SEND) young people 16-25 years old, therefore
the design is developed to accommodate the space standards for SEND. However,
the centre is available as a resource for any resident and/or group to utilise
by booking the available spaces. The new centre will consist of a
reception, 4 teaching spaces, hygiene room, toilets, staff tea point, lift and
stairs on the ground floor, permitting access to the first floor. The first
floor contains a large open plan multi-use space with tea point, office space,
first aid room, hygiene room, storage space, external terrace, and a green
roof. The landscaping will include a new pond, poly tunnels for growing produce
and plants, an enhanced biodiversity area, a covered outdoor activity area and
the biodiverse green roof at first floor level. The terrace can be used to view
and study the wildlife at Welsh Harp.
One former teacher commented:
The thing I picked out was how they were keen to talk about how much consultation there had been on the idea, but could not see that schools who have used WHEEC for years were on the list and I would be interested in how the proposal was put ie “look at the marvellous idea and facilities we are providing” without any suggestion of what would be lost. The answer to, “ Would you like great facilities for SEND children/young people to help them fulfil their potential” is always going to yes.
Another large elephant in the room is that there are a number of references in various places to the use of the facility by residents and other organisations, but it also seems to say the facility will be in used every day and weekends for the SEND groups.
A lovely line “The proposed facility would provide an opportunity for residents to be better connected to nature and enhance green spaces and bio diversity.” I can’t see when the public can use it timewise and they won’t be allowed on site if vulnerable pupils are there. Also Polytunnels? Enhance green spaces?
Hopefully lead members responding to the Petition will reassure schools and pupils that the work of the WHEEC will be accommodated within the new building and that every effort is being made to find a new provider,
I am grateful to Maya, Rochelle and Family for permission to use this video showing children's excitement and curiousity when engaging with nature.
“Bringing nature into the classroom can
kindle a fascination and passion for the diversity of life on earth and
can motivate a sense of responsibility to safeguard it.” David Attenborough
I happened to be at the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre (WHEEC) yesterday when the doors to the classroom block were locked for the very last time after a youth group had left.
The dilapidated block will be demolished to be replaced by a SEND 16-25 Skills Centre that was planned to include a classroom for the WHEEC.
That is now in jeopardy after the withdrawal of Thames21 from running the Centre.
I agree, as a former teacher and an environmentalist, with what David Attenborough said. We cannot expect children to fight to maintain our biodiversity if they have not had a chance to experience it using all their senses. This becomes even more important at a time of climate and ecological crisis.
I have set up a petition supported by Brent Parks Forum and Brent Friends of the Earth calling on Brent Council to search for ways of continung the service. If you are one of the very many Brent residents whose children have used the Centre, or remember the thrill of using it yourself, or just recognise what a great resource it is, please sign the petition and pass the link on to anyone else who may be interested. Please note the petition cn be signed by anyone of any age so do encourage your children to sign if they are interested
We the undersigned petition
the council to scope out all opportunities to maintain primary
provision at the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre following the
withdrawal of Thames21 as a provider.
We residents and people who work or study in Brent * call on
Brent Council to undertake a full scoping exercise to enable the
work of the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre (WHEEC) with
primary age children to continue. This work, which has been going
on for more than half a century is even more important at a time of
a climate and ecological emergency. It is imperative that the
generation that will be dealing with this emergency in the future
are enabled to experience and appreciate the natural world that is
now under threat.
The scoping exercise should include talks with Careys, the local
groundworks company that previously made a bid for the Centre and
other local companies, organisations or charities that wish to make
a commitment to children’s education and combatting climate
change.
The Council should also revive the Consortium who were
interested in a shared resource that would be based at the new
build 16-25 Skills Centre to be used at times outside school hours
including evenings and weekends.
A primary classroom with separate entrance and toilets should be
provided within the new 16-25 Skills Centre for use by the WHEEC
during school hours and school term times (60 primary pupils per
day) as envisaged in the current plans. Thames21 withdrew from the
WHEEC in July 2025 because they could no longer sustain the losses.
Running costs should be less in a shared 16-25 new build Skills
Centre compared with the dilapidated wooden classrooms that are due
to be demolished.
Rental income could be earned both from letting out space at the
Centre at evenings, weekends and during school holidays and from
letting out the grounds for activities such as camping for guides,
scouts, and Woodcraft Folk.
*Guidance from Brent Council:
A petition can be signed by a person of any age who lives, works or
studies in Brent.
If you are signing a paper petition as a resident of the borough a
check will normally
be made that you are a registered elector in the borough. If you
sign a petition as
someone who is studying or working in the borough you should
provide either your
home address or an address relevant to the petition i.e., your
place of study or work.
If you add your name to an e-petition you will be asked for a
personal e-mail address
and your post code. You may only sign any one petition once.
Started by: Martin Francis
This ePetition runs from 25/07/2025 to 05/09/2025.
Below is a video from Brent Council itself celebrating the Centre published some years ago.
Leo Batten, who helped set up the Wesh Harp Environmental Education Centre more tha half a century ago made a passionate plea for its continuation at yesterday's Welsh Harp (Barnt and Brent) Consultative Committee.
Unfortunately the responses were far from positive. Leslie Williams, from Brent Council, made it clear that there would be no daytime space for the WHEEC in the new SEND 16-25 building saying that it would be 'fully utilised' during curriculum time by the 16-19s and available for education groups only at other times.
This would be of no use to the primary schools that have been using the centre for morning and afternoon sessions for decades. Initial discussions envisaged shared use of the new building with the WHEEC and I understand that current plans include provision for 60 local school children to visit each day during term time. Thames21 withdrawal from running it seems to have led to the dropping of the idea.
Cllr Krupa Sheth, Cabinet lead on the Environment, made it clear that the Council would provide no money to keep the WHEEC going but campaigners. who are getting together now (despite it being the holiday season), will be urging the Council to shake off its lethargy and start searching for solutions.
Thames 21 who usually attend the Committee were not present last night.
Pond dipping nets stand ready for what may be the last groups to use the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre
Today marks a week since Brent Council were asked for a statement on the future of the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre.
Today also marks the last day of term. A lively crocodile of excited primary children walked by the nearby allotment this morning, oblivious to the fact that they might be the last to make use of the Centre.
As far as I can ascertain local schools have not yet been informed of the withdrawal of the charity Thames21 from managing the Centre or of any transitional arrangements while a new sponsor is sought.
A prettty poor show that raises doubts about Brent Council's commitment to our young people and their education about the climate and ecological emergencies that will shape their future lives.
There were two primary classes happily engaged at the WHEEC today when I popped by after watering my allotment on Birchen Grove. I thought it would be useful for the general reader to know what their offer to local schools and nurseries is. This brochure is from 2019 but I suspect little has changed, except perhaps for the very reasonable pricess.
Following my request for information on Friday, Thames21 today released this statement:
Thames21 has given Brent Council notice that it is withdrawing from running the WHEEC at the end of this month.
After recent discussions with Brent Council, Thames21 is sad to announce that it will no longer continue to support the operation of the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre as of from the end of July 2025.
Unfortunately, Thames21 has been operating the centre at a loss for several years. Despite the value of the work being done, we simply cannot continue to sustain these financial losses. We had hope—and still hope—that the Council might step in, especially given their plans to redevelop the site.
Chris Coode, CEO at Thames21, said:
Over the last nine years, the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre has had a significant impact on the local community and is a much-loved facility.
I want to pay a special thanks and tribute to the schools, schoolchildren, volunteers, employees (especially Debra Frankiewicz), members and local community who have made this place so great.
We hope that the Council will work with local partners to find a long-term suitable solution to keep the Centre open and offer vital opportunities for children and local people to learn and spend time in nature.
Thames21 remains committed to working in the borough and will continue to focus on working with communities to restore and care for our rivers.
Brent Council was also asked for a statement on Friday bit so far has not responded,
As we experience extreme heat as a result of climate change and an escalating bio-diversity crisis it comes as a shock to learn that once again the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre might be in jeopardy.
In the penultimate week of the school term Thames21 who currently run the Centre have given notice that their involvement will stop at the end of the month. The Centre is well-used by local primary schools (I know because my allotment is next door to the Centre and I hear excited children coming and going).
David Attenborough has repeatedly said we cannot expect children to defend nature if they haven't experienced it and the Centre plays a vital part in giving that experience in an era when Brent council has declared a Climate and Environmental Emergency.
With schools busy with end of term activities this news may not get through before the long summer holiday and it will only be when they try and book for the autumn term tht they will find the facility is no longer available.
It may be that Brent Council has safeguarding the Centre's future in hand but ominously neither the Council Press Office nor the lead Cabinet members responsible have responded to Wembley Matters' request for a statement. Thames21 have not yet responded to a request for confirmation of their withdrawal. I had hoped that it might be temporary while building work took place.
The two classrooms that form the Centre have been deteriorating for years and it was envisaged that the WHEEC would share the new build accommodation planned for a 16-19 SEND facility in the grounds.
Generations of Brent pupils have enjoyed visits to the Centre and many adults will have memories of bug hunting, pond dipping and much else. Let's hope if necessary we can get together and Save Our Centre.
Get ready explore the Welsh Harp Education Centre and the Welsh
Harp Reservoir this May Half Term Holidays for FREE activities supported
by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and Canal and Rivers Trust.
Activities include:
Junior Bird Watchers Walk Thursday 1st June 10.30am – 12.00pm
Join us at the Education Centre for a guided walk to the Welsh Harp
Reservoir on a bird spotting adventure! Feed the birds and see how many
you can identify. Ages 5-12.
Dip your net in the ponds at the Education Centre to see what
creatures live underwater and venture out into the wild woods to see
what mini-beasts live there. Ages 5-12.
Tree ID & Plant Art Friday 2nd June 10.30am – 12.00pm
Join us at the Education Centre for a guided walk to the Welsh Harp
Reservoir to explore different types of trees! Create beautiful plant
art by using flowers and other plants on watercolour paper. Ages 5-12.
Shelter Building & Nature Quiz Trail Friday 2nd June 1.00pm – 2.30pm
Build a shelter in the Education Centre woods and see if you can make
it waterproof. Go exploring around the woods to find the quiz clues and
see if you can solve the word puzzle! Ages 5-12.
Booking is essential, please use this Eventbrite link:
Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre
Birchen Grove, NW9 8RY. Follow the signs towards the Birchen Grove Garden Centre.
Further info:
An adult must attend & supervise children throughout activities.
Places are limited and booking is essential, please use the Eventbrite link if you need to cancel your booking.
Children and adults should wear comfortable outdoor clothing and
shoes that may get dirty as we will be walking on woodland pathways.
Please bring a waterproof jacket if it is forecast to rain.
Some years ago: Brent teacher unions, Brent Friends of the Earth, Brent Greens and Brent Campaign Against Climate Change fight to keep the WHEEC open
A paper going to the next Brent Cabinet from officers puts forward a cross-council plan that could ensure the future of the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre after several years of doubt as to its future. Officers deserve credit for an imaginative scheme that could deliver a much enhanced programme and a new building to replace the current classrooms that are well on thew way out. There are more details to come including the future of the chapel, currently leased out, and the specific site of the new building. The papers says the classrooms will be demolished and returned to open space. The £3m capital cost will be funded from the High Needs Capital Grant.
The proposal is part of a Post-16 SEND offer:
It is proposed that the Post-16 Skills Resource
Centre operates from two sites.The Welsh Harp Centre would be developed to provide
a horticultural facilitywith
work experience and volunteering opportunities. The second site would bebased in new facilities on
the Airco Close site in Kingsbury, alongside anexpansion of the special
school provision that is delivered by the CompassLearning Trust. An
expansion of special school places had previously beenplanned at The Village and
Woodfield Schools.Use of the Airco Close site would facilitate the Compass Learning Trust
developing 14+ pathways toemployment for children with SEND. The intention is that the Compass
LearningTrust
also operates the Horticultural Facility at Welsh Harp to bring cohesion tothe offer across the two
sites. However, the lease would remain with the Councilwhich would oversee the
use of the site by third sector and communityorganisations, including
the Scouts who have shown interest in operating fromthe site in partnership
with the Council.
The detailed proposals for the Welsh Harp:
3.11 The proposed Welsh
Harp Horticultural Facility would provide training in horticulture, work experience, periods of
volunteering and employment and enterprise
development. This facility responds directly to the Borough Plan objectives ‘The Best Start in Life’ and ‘A
Healthier Brent’. The proposed facility would
also respond to the Council’s Climate Emergency Strategy 2021-2030, as it would provide opportunity for residents to be
better connected to nature and enhance green spaces
and biodiversity.
3.12 The Welsh Harp
Facility would re-provide with input from the third sector the existing Environmental
Education Centre that works with schools and volunteers,
operating in tandem with the Welsh Harp Joint Consultative Committee and supporting development of a
biodiversity centre. The facility would
also support pupils from across Brent schools to engage in environmental science. It would also be able to support Brent in
Bloom and the delivery of commercial contracts,
again increasing the economic activity and visibility of younger residents with
disabilities.
3.13 The Welsh Harp
Centre could operate as a training centre for 5 days per week and at weekends and the evenings would open to the
public for wider programme of activities
including supporting residents to grow their own food and learn about heathy meals alongside wider
environmentally based activities.
3.14 The current
building is in poor quality and at the end of its lifespan and requires significant capital investment to replace. This
proposal would enable the Environmental Education
programme to schools to continue to be delivered as part of the wider building use alongside the
Post-16 horticultural use. The capital project to
replace the building is estimated to cost £3m. This would be funded from the SEND Capital Grant (see below).
3.15 Table 1 below
proposes the high-level milestones to deliver the Welsh Harp new building. More detail will be included in the
capital project business case for the project.
3.16 As a revenue invest
to save proposal, the Welsh Harp Centre would provide activities focused on contributing towards the
following objectives, with funding allocated
to activities that would directly impact on outcomes for Brent residents that can be tracked and reported on annually:
a) Independent life and
work skills training and support for the post-16 SEND population resulting in a reduction in HNB
expenditure through, for example, a reduction in
the number of EHCPs that are maintained as young
people receive training that helps them to secure employment.
b) the Public Health
Outcomes Framework, and in particular indicators that improve the wider determinants of health / health
inequalities, for example increasing employment
opportunities for young adults with learning disabilities,
addressing social isolation and loneliness and supporting the wider public to make healthy lifestyle choices.
These indicators would be measured for young
people and adults accessing the Centre.
c) Adult Social Care
measures, specifically the proportion of adults with a learning disability in paid employment, the
proportion of people with a learning disability
living in their own home or with family and the proportion of people who use services who have control over
their daily life.
d) NHSE outcomes
including the employment of people with long-term conditions
or who feel supported to manage their condition and the NHS Learning Disability and ASD long term plan.
From Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre, Birchen Grove, Kingsbury, NW9 8RY
Activities include:
Build a Bug Hotel
Tuesday 14th, 1.00pm – 2.30pm
Create a new home for bugs and join a bug hunt around the woodland to see who lives there. Ages 5-12.
Forest Skills
Wednesday 15th, 1.00pm – 2.30pm
Gather round a camp fire in the woods to roast marshmallows and
bananas. Build a forest shelter and see if you can make it water proof!
Ages 7+
Make a Bird Feeder
Thursday 16th, 1.00pm – 2.30pm
Make a bird feeder and ‘bird cake’ to take home. Explore the woods to
look for birds of all sorts and sounds. Bring your own bottle or
container or use one of ours! Ages 5-12.
Booking is essential, please contact us on:
Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre
Birchen Grove, NW9 8RY. Follow the signs towards the Birchen Grove Garden Centre.
Back in August I wrote an article on Wembley Matters with the headline :
We need to firm up proposals for the future of the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre or it will be our children's loss LINK
Yesterday the above tweet indicated that local groups have risen to the challenge with a positive meeting of various groups interested in using the Centre, perhaps as a consortium LINK , or as sub-leasers under present lease-holders Thames 21.
The road to survival?
There is a long way to go before the future of the Centre is secured with work to be done on the financial side as well on the collaboration agreements between the groups. The initiative shows that the Centre is valued and its survival, when nature itself is under threat from climate change, is recognised as vital to bring children and adults closer to their environment and engaged in its protection.
Brent Council is the owner of the site and will need to be convinced of the long-term viability of any proposals put forward.
Learn how to use your smartphone camera like a pro using simple and
fun methods by Jet Black Squares. Bring your smart phone and get ready
to explore the Education Centre woods! Ages 8+
Nature Fun in the Wild
Friday 28th, 10.30am – 12.00pm & 1.00pm – 2.30pm
Join us for pond dipping and mini-beast hunting in the wilds of the pond and woods at the Education Centre! Ages 5-12.
Booking is essential, please contact us on:
Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre
Birchen Grove, NW9 8RY. Follow the signs towards the Garden Centre.
Phone: 07711 701 694
Email: welshharpcentre@thames21.org.uk
Further info:
An adult must attend & supervise children throughout activities.
Places are limited and booking is essential, please contact us to book and also let us know if you need to cancel your booking.
Children and adults should wear comfortable outdoor clothing that may get dirty if you wish to come for a walk in the woods.
Representations were made both by councillors and the public at the last meeting of the Welsh Harp Joint Consultative Committee about the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre (WHEEC) and its future.
The Committee covers both Barnet Council and Brent Council and the chairing alternates between the two. This year Barnet chairs.
The Centre has been a well-used resource for educating primary school children about the environment for decades. Thames21 was chosen to take it over when Brent Council stopped funding as a result of government funding cuts. However, after operating the Centre for a few years they decided they could not continue. Following local campaigning they decided to continue for a year, albeit with a reduced offer, while a long-term solution was found to ensure the future viability of the resource.
At the Committee's March 10th meeting it was recorded:
..it had been agreed for Thames 21 to continue activities [at WHEEC] for a further
year, with a full programme to be confirmed. It was noted that the centre
required some infrastructure work in order to make the centre viable, which
would incur a revenue cost. The Committee would continue to be kept updated
regarding progress on the ongoing discussions regarding the future of the Welsh
Harp Environmental Education Centre.
Questions and comments were then invited on the update, with the following
issues raised: · It was noted that expressions
had been raised to extend the remit of classes at the Welsh Harp Environmental
Education Centre, including sessions for secondary schools and evening classes
for adults. It was asked if these plans were still in place to be explored. It
was explained that this was still being explored and had worked in other
similar centres in London, but would rely on a viable consortium to bring
people, resources and organisations together to make it happen.
Brent Council's report to last last week's meeting indicated little progress:
Welsh
Harp Environmental Education Centre:
Discussions
have continued between Brent Council and external partnerorganisations who have
or may have an interest in creating a viableenvironmental education centre. Thames 21
have agreed to provide someservices for another year while discussions
continue for a longer-term solutionfor the future of the Centre.
Committee members asked for further information stressing the importance of the Centre in the context of the Council's declaration of a climate emergency. No details were available of the organisations that had expressed an interesting in forming a Consortium to run the Centre, the reduced programme that will be offered by Thames21, whether local firm Carey's an original bidder to run the Centre had been approached again, or the status of the former chapel, known as Planet House, which shares the site.
When passing the Centre's classrooms and toilet block on the way to the Garden Centre it is easy to discount the Centre's most important resource. This is the extensive woodland (see photograph above) that stretches to the Barnet border north of the classrooms and the woodland on the other side of the access road that abuts the Welsh Harp Open Space. The towering mature trees and shrubs beneath provide an amazing unspoilt habitat for wildlife and add to Brent's quota of green space.
When I tweeted about the Centre yesterday these were some of the responses:
Any organisations or projects interested in joining a consortium should write to brent.parks.services@brent.gov.ukwith a brief summary of their interest/proposal.
The children in the 2013 Brent Council video above are teenagers now. Teenagers facing the prospect of a future wrecked by the impact of accelerating climate change.
Since 2013 the environment has become a major political issue and Brent Council itself has declared a climate emergency. However just two years after the video was made, Harry Mackie retired and Brent decided it could no longer fund the Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre.
After campaigns, including on this blog, the charity Thames21 took it over and continued courses and tried to find other sources of revenue. However, despite full bookings the charity eventually decided it was not financially viable to continue and signalled their desire to end the arrangement.
Since then the Centre has limped on with Thames21 providing a skeleton service, while Brent Council sought a solution. I was a little worried about the Centre's future when I saw surveyors on the site recently. The structural condition of the classrooms has deteriorated since 2013.
Unfortunately a report going to Wednesday's Welsh Harp Consultative Committee devotes only a few sentences to the Centre and appears to be a repeat of the previous report with no indication of real progress LINK :
Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre:
Discussions have continued between Brent Council and external partner organisations
who have or may have an interest in creating a viable environmental education
centre. Thames 21 have agreed to provide some services for another year while
discussions continue for a longer-term solution for the future of the Centre
I hope that some of our newly elected councillors who have a good record on the environment will try and put some pressure on the council to renew its efforts.
The video speaks for itself and I can assure readers that the new generation is equally involved and excited by visits to the Centre. I hear their excited chatter as they walk past my allotment on Birchen Grove and I sometimes stop to talk to groups of pupils as their teachers marshall them at the end of the sessions.
