What Hazel Did Next....

[wellie]

Not so very long ago, Hazel posted a thread for me to 'blow my own trumpet', and WOW! I achieved something I never thought I ever would, and it felt wonderful to tell you all about it.
Everyone should be allowed to have 'a moment', and, hopefully, Hazel will post us photos now, and tell us the whole lovely story of her day:

[Flummery]

Come on, you Hazel!

[mandyballantyne]

Come on Hazel, can't wait to see!

Mandy

[Hazel at the Hill]

That's got you guessing!

Promise to tell later - when I will hopefully have some photos though to post too!

And, Wellie, hon, that has 'got me back' good and proper!

[mandyballantyne]

oooooh, come on Hazel what is it??

[moggssue]

Come on, spill the beans ...... I'm on tenterhooks - metarphorically before anyone says anything !! What gives Hazel???!!

[Seahorse]

Oooh, the suspense is killing me!

[shirlthegirl43]

Come on Hazel - you are holding out on us!!!

[mandyballantyne]

I have been on your blog to see if I could find any clues??

Please tell, PLEASE

[Hazel at the Hill]

Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin...

So a few weeks ago, Partner-in-grime Jane (a classroom assistant) was asked by one of the teachers if a class could come & see proper vegetables growing for one of their projects, & Jane phones me for the Committee details & passes them on, and that’s the last I hear for a bit.

Then she phones a couple of weeks ago to ask if I’m going to be around on Sat at the Hill as the school have been in contact with the Committee who will be delighted to host a class visit, & they have to do a Risk Assessment

This is where we all get on the Surreal Express to Oddsville. I’m hoeing the green manure, when I spot three gents walk through the gate and introduce themselves as Ian, Ian & Ian from Coppice Junior School. I kid you not.

We look round the site, they are very keen & ask if the provisional date that has been agreed with the Committee is ok with me as Guide. I figure that it’ll be better to be there to make sure that little feet don’t trample everything in site, & there will be some of the committee members there, too…

So Wednesday morning, I take Belinda Scarecrow back to the Hill and plant her facing the gate which I thought would be fun. This makes me quite unpopular with the teacher (one of the Ians), as the crocodile of children who then arrive do not listen to him at all on do’s and dont’s, they are too busy looking at the scarecrow.
Small child: ‘Miss, why does your scarecrow look like ET?’

All up the top of the site – all children have clipboards with a form with column headings ‘VEGETABLE’, ‘PICTURE’ & ‘WHAT PLOT?’ like those I SPY books. I am given one too. I even have a small child latch on & hold my hand, so I am part of the crocodile too.

One class starts at the top of the site, and ours at the bottom. We have a teacher, a committee member (who appears to have lost the power of speech, strangely) and Mrs Hilter here who is finding that a whole group of 30 7 year olds all doing what you tell them to do is quite an ego trip. Refrain from doing a game of Simon Says just for the hell of it.

At the very bottom of the Hill we meet old John Badger who used to teach and is frankly BRILLIANT. ‘Ok children, what do we find under this big pile of leaves – yes, WORMS – and why are they our friends?’ etc etc. All boys in the class now have a new hero. Old John Badger lets all the class pick off a head of lavender to take with them. All the girls in the class now have a new hero too.

Children now making there way up the Hill:
‘Miss, why is that sunflower dead?’ To attact the lovely birds who eat the seeds
‘Who can tell me why those tyres are there?’, ‘Is it to stop the plants escaping, Miss?’
‘EEWW, that’s POO!!!!!!!’ Much excitement at this.
‘Can you eat all those flowers too, Miss?’ They are dahlias. No.
‘Miss, why are there DVD’s on string over there?’ To stop the lovely birds etc etc. Ah - inconsistancy alert.
‘Where are the rabbit holes, Miss? You said we’d fall down and get lost in the rabbit holes?’ Ah, yes, I did, didn’t I.
‘Why aren’t there any strawberries?’ This is the Sainsbury generation.
‘Why is that lettuce so tall? Is it so you can pick it up more easily?’
‘Oh, WOW - I’ve seen another worm, Miss!!’
‘When do we eat Brussels Sprouts, children? Yes, on Christmas day!’ Small Chinese looking girl looks non-plussed, but is the only one who recognises pak choi.

I give each child a big old runner bean pod with instructions to take back to school for shelling and growing in due course.

‘Miss, Mr Johnson’s wanting to talk to you!’
‘Is he? Did he have his hand up? No? Well then!’
Giggles all round.

I’m sure that all the teachers on the vine see a bunch of curious 7 year olds all the time – and I’m equally sure that I saw this particular lot on absolute best behaviour – but for me, showing eager youngsters about GYO - something which I’m very keen on and I believe is pretty vital to their health & future, well, it’s been an absolute privilege.

I’ll be sure to cut out the local newspaper article to show you all when it comes out.

Thank you for listening.

[Nicos]

Wonderful...just wonderful!!!

[shirlthegirl43]

Well done Hazel and top marks. If I had been asked to host a handful of little uns I would have run away screaming (sorry guys and gals but I really don't like children).

[Paulottie]

That's great, It is really important and maybe you've inspired those kids to grow something.

My daughter went to the local allotments from school as well, she loved it, makes a change from sitting on mine saying 'can we go yet?' but they have a veg patch at school and we go and help.

[scarey55]

Oh Haze,

what a brilliant story I was there with you and all the children. How wonderful to have an opportunity like that.

I think it is a great shame that these days some children don't give a second thought to where their veggies come from, you must have been so proud. I think that if only one more child goes on to grow his/her own, you've done a great job

Thank you so much for sharing that with us and do I have a seconder for Wellie and Hazel to write this year's virtual panto?

Brilliantly written Hazel, loved it.
X

[shirlthegirl43]

Thank you so much for sharing that with us and do I have a seconder for Wellie and Hazel to write this year's virtual panto?

Brilliantly written Hazel, loved it.
X

Seconded!