Frogs and bugs at Sowerby Primary...

Sowery Primary Academy is an excellent school with a dedicated teaching team, who they know that not all learning is done in the classroom.

The School has a pond area where children could learn what I used to call nature study, dipping for life in the pond and tipping their catch onto a white tray, the better to see what was there.

At least they could, until the wooden decking became decayed and the area became overgrown and this poorly pond was no longer a safe area for children.

Then the parent organization FOSS, Friends of Sowerby School, offered to take on a major refurbishment of the pond and its surrounding.

“By all means,” said Head Teacher Keeley Ungerechts, and a plan was quickly formed.

It was like an episode of DIY SOS said Keeley. A lot of people and organizations showed their love of the school.

Thirsk Town Council and Thirsk Infants School Trust each made a grant.

Community Works’ Men in Sheds team helped build some of the new structures.

Andy from AW Pond Supplies gave a lot of advice and a bran new lining for the pond.

JT Atkinson chipped in with donations and discounts, Aquatic Finatic gave advice about aquatic plants for the pond, J&J Gardening helped with stones to go round the pond.

Monk Park Farm supplied logs, creating spaces where the frogs can hide, Thirsk Garden Centre gave plant advice and Foxes Signs supplied signs.

FOSS co-ordinated all this. Even some of the children helped in the holidays, doing the mucky job of cleaning out the old pond.


















(To read the rest of this article go along to your nearest stockist and buy a copy of the paper)