The Lottie Project
The Lottie Project is a growing programme for Lewes schools. Year 4 children attend a series of workshops in Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter to enable them to see the cycle of growing. They plant up and nurture a variety of produce which is picked when ready and taken back to school to prepare, cook and eat.
<- Report available with 
full details of background, methods and successes of this project. Ideal for schools and organisations looking to set up something similar. Click to download as pdf, or order hard copy FREE. 24pp
Children who find the classroom challenging often thrive in the hands-on environment of the allotment. Many are happy to try a wide range of vegetables, fruit, herbs and edible flowers which they've grown themselves and are often surprised to find they like them!
Related craft activities include: drawing with chalk and charcoal from the site, dyeing cloth using vegetables and berries, natural sculptures using found objects. The children find out about native plants and wildlife in the wildlife area, where there are slow worms, common lizards, many butterflies and moths, and frogs, toads and newts.
We worked with Duke of Edinburgh students in the summer 2008 term, clearing and creating a gathering/seating area and planting flowers and vegetables, and cooking over an open fire.
schools update spring 2010
Children from Wallands School have built a hazel and willow structure on which we can grow either runner beans or squash; this will also provide shade in the summer as it's big enough to stand inside.
Carrots have been planted in with the onions to deter carrot fly, mangetout have gone in and extra seeds planted in pots just in case the ones in the ground get 'slugged' -- we will put clear yoghurt pots over new seedlings to protect them.
We had an exciting visit from Sussex Past and looked at artefacts while Edwina told us about the Battle of Lewes which took place on and around the allotment! We hope Edwina will visit again soon.
Sponsor the Lottie!
We welcome individual or company sponsorship of the Lottie project; in return we will provide regular updates, certificate, recognition in promotional material and on our website (if wanted). £200 supports one session, £3,000 supports one full year - but any amount welcome!
Contact Sarah Rideout on 01273 476029 for more details.
Thank you to....
Other costs are covered by the Lottery Wellbeing Grant and we have also received a Health Improvement Grant of £1400 towards cost of sessions, new raised beds and pathwork.
We are grateful to TJ Composting of Beddingham for giving us a good deal on compost!
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The Lottie Project
Contact(s): Sarah Rideout on 01273 476029