Planting the seed for a love of gardening and fresh veg

Little Explorers and Friends received funding for the project from Mission Green, a Castle Green Homes initiative linked to new homes being built at Swn y Mor on Gronant Road, Prestatyn.

Rachel Owen, from Little Explorers and Friends, explained: “We want to help children and families in Rhyl and the surrounding area grow their own herbs and vegetables at home by providing easy-to-use home-growing kits. With help of Mission Green funding we’ve been able to give out windowsill growing kits for mini gardeners containing pots, seeds, compost, and guides – everything they need to get growing. In just a few weeks they’ll be snipping, picking and tasting their own home grown produce.”

With their £500 funding they were able to provide windowsill growing kits to dozens of children, including pupils at Ysgol Llywelyn in Rhyl.

Castle Green Homes sales director Sian Pitt said: “Mission Green is all about looking after the environment and residents’ wellbeing and so we loved the idea of giving children home-growing kits. It’s a great way for them to learn about nature and sustainability including where food comes from. Plus, because they’ve grown the produce themselves it will encourage children to try new foods.”

Through Mission Green Prestatyn, Castle Green has supported 11 good causes in the area.

The other local projects to receive funding though the voluntary initiative were Big Pool Wood volunteers, Cosy Craft Club, Denbighshire Play Rangers, Fins Swim School, Friends of Coronation Gardens, Helping Homeless North Wales, Ysgol Clawdd Offa, , Prestatyn in Bloom, and Ysgol Gronant.

The Mission Green funding is in addition to the community investment Castle Green will make under a Section 106 agreement signed during the planning process.