THAMESMEAD: Youngsters enjoy planting trees at children's centre (From News Shopper)

Youngsters at Waterways Children’s Centre help plant trees as part of Forest Schools scheme

11:22am Wednesday 9th February 2011 in Lewisham By Kelly Smale

YOU wood not be-leaf what children have been getting up to in Thamesmead.

Youngsters at Waterways Children’s Centre helped plant 30 saplings, which were donated to the centre by Sainsbury’s.

Apple, hazel and cherry trees were planted after parents dug deep and collected vouchers from the store.

The centre, in Southwood Road, is part of the Forest Schools scheme, which aims to get children in touch with the environment.

Teacher Carrie Gowen said: “In a Forest School you don’t weed the space, but let it grow.

“The idea is the children ‘ponder and wander’ doing what we used to when we were little, going out and playing – and not a park or a garden, but a natural space.”