Mercenfeld Primary School, Markfield, in partnership with Leicestershire Library Services and Leicestershire Environment and Heritage Services was awarded a Big Lottery Fund Breathing Places grant to create a Reading Garden in an area between the school and Markfield Library.
Local people were consulted to find out what they would like to see in the garden, which, as well as being a space where library users can sit and read, is wildlife-friendly and includes such features as bird and bat boxes. Library users have access to the garden for their own personal reading enjoyment and organised library activities, such as storytimes, take on a new dimension.The garden is an outdoor classroom and lunchtime picnic area for school use and community groups can use the garden outside of school hours.
People of all ages attended a special open day at the new garden on Monday 15th September 2008. During the day there was an official launch when Mr Kershaw, Chairman of Leicestershire County Council, unveiled a mosaic based on the winning entry in the Design a Mosaic competition. The Chairman and local County Councillor Mr Sprason, each planted a tree assisted by children from Mercenfeld Primary School. The school choir performed songs with an environmental theme.
Other activities during the day included:
- Nature hunt and quizzes
- Wriggly Reader story-time session for 0 - 4s
- Bulb planting
- Interactive sessions with staff from Community Heritage Initiative
- Jam-tasting with the W.I.
- Creepy stories in the garden
- Nature Observed display
- Face-painting
For further information about the garden contact Markfield Library on 0116 305 3642 or Coalville Library on 0116 305 3565.
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Page Last Updated: 14 October 2010
