Win Green Town has worked with students at Winchcombe School since September 2022, supporting the school's Eco Team and developing a school garden.
In June 2023 the school was awarded its first Green Flag from the Eco Schools organisation - national recognition for its environmental efforts. You can read a short report summarising these actions here. The school received its second green flag award in August 2024.
To mark these awards, Win Green Town planted a Liquidambar tree by the school entrance. The tree has lovely autumn colours and will in time provide welcome shade for the glass entrance vestibule during increasingly hot summers.
Sensory Garden Project
Efforts are now focused on developing a sensory garden - a calm, hands-on space where pupils and staff can step way from the busy school day, reconnect with nature, and learn how to grow food.
Fresh fruit and vegetables from the garden will be used in the school kitchen, offering delicious, low-carbon meals made from produce the students have grown themselves.
Here's how the space looked in January 2025 before work began:
And here are the concept plans, created by local landscape gardener Emily Tasker.
🌱 What We’ve Done So Far
- Cleared old tree stumps and concrete blocks
- Planted a yew hedge to shelter the garden from the road and provide a backdrop for future cherry trees
- Added several fruit trees
- Installed two raised beds for growing produce
- Created a reflection area with seating and a calming water bowl
🌼 What’s Next
- Plant cherry trees
- Replace yew trees that didn't survive last summer's heat
Then we plan to:
- Plant a fruiting berry hedge
- Install trellissing along the old shed walls and plant climbers
- Plant sensory plants around the reflection area
💚 Thank You
Huge thanks to Gloucestershire County Council for donating trees through its wonderful Trees for Goucestershire initiative.
Special thanks also to:
- Winchcombe Rotary Club for their early support
- Everyone who joined our Parrots and Penguins fundraising auction, including local MP Cameron Thomas, auctioneer Nicholas Grainger - and his pet parrot Bella!
- All the students, staff and volunteers who continue to give their time and energy to help the garden flourish
🙌 Get Involved
We’re forming a small volunteer group to help care for the garden – especially during school holidays. No gardening experience is needed – just enthusiasm, teamwork, and a willingness to get stuck in! With enough helpers, everyone can take turns so no one feels overcommitted.
If you’d like to be part of the team, please get in touch with Chris Etchells – we’d love to hear from you!