The idea
Cherry Grove Primary stands on land that was once a cherry grove. Regrowing The Grove: One Lap at a Time is a community climate action project using nature-based solutions to strengthen local resilience while encouraging active lifestyles. Using the field path as a daily Walk • Weed • Water circuit, pupils and the wider community will care for two linked hubs. Zone A, the Climate & Wildlife Pond Hub, will be fenced with two lockable gates; the pond will be completed with liner, edging and plants, creating a rich wildlife habitat. A wildflower area supports pollinators and soil health. Zone B, the Grove Orchard Hub, will plant 30 cherry trees around the play area, boosting shade, cooling, biodiversity, and community access. Mint Climate Action Points provide small, repeatable tasks and foster shared stewardship.
What we'll deliver
- Regrowing The Grove Circuit: a clear, repeatable Walk • Weed • Water routine using the existing field path
- Zone A – Climate & Wildlife Pond Hub: 50m wooden fence + two gates; pond and plants; wildflower area.
- Zone B – Grove Orchard Hub: 30 cherry trees planted with guards, stakes, mulched rings and labels
- Mint ‘climate action points’: contained mint planters positioned on the circuit with simple prompts.
- Practical infrastructure: shed for tools and a waterbutt kit to support watering and stewardship
- Community climate action programme: monthly community laps (Walk • Weed • Water) and a Blossom Walk & Celebration
- Grove Keeper twilight session for the community and staff. To ensure the grove thrives.
Why it's a great idea
Climate resilience: The pond hub supports water stewardship and biodiversity, while wildflower and mulched areas improve soil health. The cherry grove adds shade, cooling, and climate-readiness.
Carbon & nature recovery: New trees and habitats increase green cover, support pollinators, and create connected wildlife networks.
Community climate action: Walk • Weed • Water provides an inclusive, practical way for pupils, families, and local residents to take regular action, supported by the Grove Keepers rota and regular community sessions.
Active lifestyles: The field path becomes a habit-forming circuit, building gentle, purposeful movement into daily routines for all participants.
Climate learning: Pupils and volunteers learn through stewardship, monitoring pond life, pollinators, and tree growth, understanding how nature-based solutions benefit people and place.
Steps to get it done
- Co-design & safeguarding check: confirm hub boundaries, pedestrian gate locations, pond edge approach.
- Procure materials: picket fencing, gates, pond, edging and plants, shed, waterbutt, trees, guards, signage and tools.
- Install the 50m picket fence and hang two lockable pedestrian gates (Zone A).
- Finish the pond (approx. 4m diameter): lay underlay and liner, edge and plant, simple wildlife exit slope/pebble beach.
- Prepare and sow the wildflower area and add light habitat features (e.g., bug hotel/bird boxes)
- Plant the cherry grove (30 trees) in/around the existing play area (Zone B) and elsewhere along the circuit.
- Install contained mint planters at loop ‘climate action points’ and launch the Walk • Weed • Water routine with pupils
- Run monthly community laps and deliver the Blossom Walk & Mint Tea Climate Action Celebration
- Handover: Grove Keepers rota + quick seasonal checklist + twilight CPD session
