Digging for victory

They have begun work on a 1940s allotment as part of a nationwide project run by the Imperial War Museum, alongside the Churchill Museum and the Cabinet War Rooms.

But they are also creating a modern-day allotment, which will feature vegetables and plants that are part of daily life now, a bio-dome which will provide the perfect setting for growing exotic plants in a tropical environment, and a 6ft herb wheel.

The project has been championed by Sarah-Jane Bigby, team leader for science and technology.

Having been at Bexhill High for six months, she had been hoping to create a biodome within the school grounds, and was looking for a way of doing so when the information for Dig For Victory landed on her desk.

She felt this would be the perfect project for pupils of all ages at Bexhill High, incorporating a wide range of skills and expertise, so put her proposal to head teacher Mike Conn.

He was immediately behind the idea, and gave Sarah-Jane the use of secure land on the school site near the building and construction area, a patch of unused ground covered in rubble and weeds. Pupils have already started clearing the patch of land and are immersed in their plans for its future.

Sarah-Jane said: "The idea has really taken off - far beyond anything I could have hoped for. The kids are really inspired by it and are fired up, they have gone full steam ahead. It is really brilliant."

Sarah-Jane believes the allotment and biodome project will benefit youngsters throughout the school, from the Year 9 history pupils studying the Second World War, and the after-school science club which has been involved with cleaning up the land, to the B Tec Building and Construction Students who will be able to work on concrete structures and bricklaying as part of their qualification.

The school governors have agreed to give 500 for materials for the bio-dome, but meanwhile Sarah Jane is pleased with the response she has had from outside the school.

"So much help has been offered - people are being so great with us. For instance, Cee Jay Signs of Beeching Close is doing a 4ft by 3 ft sign for when it is finished, Peter Hewison of Fields Gardening Services is offering man hours to help us, Chaz Rowlands has donated 20 large tree stumps for natural seating for the area, and New Barn Farm is to provide manure to be used as fertiliser later on.

"Jewsons Tool Hire are giving gardening equipment for free to allow pupils to develop the land so it can be built on, and B&Q have told us we can go in and spend 100 on gardening supplies for anything we need.

"It is getting bigger and bigger - it is brilliant. It is nice to see local businesses wanting to take part and encourage their own community."

She added: "Now we are looking for more companies to come on board. To get more support behind us would be fantastic. Having been at a school in London, I think it's amazing to be in a small community where people say yes, let's get involved, pulling together - it is quite something."

Anyone wishing to donate to the project can contact her on [email protected], or phone on 01424 730722.