A MAYOR building contractor has sponsored a Hampshire pre-school’s allotment project.

Colden Common Pre-School, based near the regional offices for builder, Taylor Wimpey, obtained the a plot over the Easter holidays and has been transforming the overgrown plot into a learning space with its own den, story area and mud kitchen.

Taylor Wimpey donated £250, which staff have put to good use.

Charlotte White, chairman at Colden Common Pre-school, says: “It’s not going to be a completely traditional allotment as all the children have lots of different interests and we want to develop all the areas of learning, so it won’t just be for growing vegetables.

“The first afternoon we went up there we did a bug hunt, for example, which the children loved! We’ve constructed some raised beds for flowers and strawberries, but we’ve also got one which the children can just enjoy digging in.

“We’ve also started to construct a trellis to create a sensory wall, and we’re going to have a den area and a story area with logs for the children to sit on.”

“The allotments had been left for about 18 months and the plot was covered in weeds,” said Charlotte. “We could barely see where it was!

“The plan is to take the children up regularly, hopefully every week, and we’ve started an allotment club so parents can taken children up at the weekends and school holidays to do some watering and weeding. It’s a real community project.

“The other allotment holders love it as they’re really keen to see young families get involved. We hope the children will get a taste for it!”

She continued: “We’re extremely grateful to Taylor Wimpey for continuing to support us in our latest adventure. This is really quite a daunting project for us and having some financial support has made it so much easier. We’ve really been able to hit the ground running!”

Roz Wells, Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey Southern Counties, said: “We are delighted to continue our association with Colden Common Pre-school by supporting its allotment project.

“This is just the kind of scheme which can really bring the local community together and we’d like to wish everyone involved the best of luck with the venture!”