Local school children holding the "Love Our Colleges" sign in front of the gate.

Celebrating Creativity: Local Schoolchildren’s Designs to be Used in New Thoresby Gate

17 October 2019

North Notts College has awarded schoolchildren from several local primary schools for their creative ideas in designing a new entrance gate for Thoresby Estate’s impressive 5-acre Victorian walled garden.

The awards were provided as part of a North Notts College-led competition challenging local primary school learners to design a new entrance gate for Thoresby Estate’s 5-acre Victorian walled garden. Each student’s design incorporated elements of the local area’s heritage, such as Robin Hood, mining and the exotic fruit which used to be grown in the garden’s greenhouses.

The winners were invited to the garden site with their parents/teachers for the awards presentation, including a certificate and £10 voucher for each winner.

North Notts College has partnered up with Thoresby Estate to help restore the site to its’ former glory. North Notts College Construction learners are developing hands-on skills as they work on plans including new paths, restored brickwork, the excavation of a central fountain, clearing of overgrowth and the design, production and installation of an impressive entrance gate.

North Notts College Curriculum Team Leader for Construction Martin Lane is overseeing the restoration project and helped award the school children.

Martin said: “The ideas these young students have brought to the table are wonderful. They’ve clearly done their research as each one of them has included a fantastic feature of the local area’s heritage. The designs were so good that we’ll be including ideas from many of their drawings in the final gate design. They should all be very proud.”

North Notts College Assistant Principal Angela Bates also awarded the budding design winners.

Angela said: “I’ve been delighted to award these budding local schoolchildren in recognition of their impressive creativity. Their designs look fantastic and I look forward to seeing them as part of Thoresby’s walled garden gate.”

Bracken Lane Primary Academy Teaching Assistant Mrs Collins attended with her winning students.

Mrs Collins added: “The children and parents from Bracken Lane Primary Academy really enjoyed looking at the walled garden site at Thoresby where the gates will eventually be erected.

“None of us had realised the enormity of the gates; they will look magnificent and very regal with all the children’s designs incorporated.”

Bracken Lane Primary Academy students added: “I didn’t realise the gates were so big.  I felt proud of myself that part of my design had been chosen and will be seen by many people in the future.

“It was good and exciting because it was an enjoyable moment to receive a certificate and voucher.”

 

Find out more about the Thoresby Estate Walled Garden Project.

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