Drawings of Dean Valley

Last year we took Stockbridge’s Primary Four on a nature walk through the Dean Valley and the children were surprised by the randomness of nature and the roots forcing their way through the walkway. 

The Dean Valley, a green lung in the heart of the city, is only a couple of minutes walk away from Stockbridge Primary school, and we wanted to find out how much the local school children knew about the valley and its rich natural environment.  

Last spring we therefore invited Primary Four from Stockbridge Primary school to take part in a project to learn about Dean Valley and what a designed landscape is. Guided by garden historian Kristina Taylor, who told the pupils about area’s fascinating history and landscape design, the young group walked along the valley, passing the St Bernard’s Well and walking towards the majestic Dean Bridge and finally into the Dean Gardens.

‘Nature is random', one os the pupils pointed out when asked why nature needs to be managed. The children were asked to think about what nature conservation means and what happens when natural processes are not controlled within a designed landscape.

The children were shocked that along the walkway trees had grown around the railings in a number of places whilst tree roots were pushing up the pathway. They also noticed the contrast between the neat ivy hedges in the Dean Gardens, and the wild ivy along the walkway as it climbs with abandon up into the trees. 

Their conclusions were expressed in lively drawings and project posters.

Later in the year the Eco-warriors, a group of mixed age children from the school, did a project resulting in a presentation to the whole school on nature conservation. 

We found this project highly rewarding, and as the Dean Valley is important to its local communities, we hope to work with Stockbridge Primary School, and local children and their families also in the future. 

To learn more take a "walk" through the valley on our 'Visit the valley' page.