Storytellers Garden

A ‘storyteller’s garden’ has been created by youngsters working together with a local artist in County Durham.

When introduced to an unused part of the school grounds, creativity flowed for artist Phil Townsend of Eggleston and he set about constructing the garden with the pupils from Gainford Primary School near Barnard Castle.

The open space has now been transformed into a magical and natural place where the children can be charmed, inspired, entertained and taught though the ancient art of storytelling.

The £8,500 for the venture was raised partly by the Big Lottery’s ‘Awards for All’ scheme, with £2,000 from the neighbourhood budget of Councillor James Rowlandson, and further funding from Gainford Charitable Trust.

The children also worked on a project to decorate a wooden chair with ceramic tiles that they designed themselves and have placed it as a feature in the garden.  And to complete the scene, an outdoor classroom has been opened for the pupils to use as part of their studies.

Author: Robert Smith