Latimer Hinks in Darlington is swapping the courtroom for compost, as it donates £250 to a children’s community gardening group in Sadberge.
The firm, which has been established in Darlington for more than 125 years, is offering a financial contribution to the Sedberg Anglo-Saxon Farmers’ Children’s Community Gardening Group.
The project, which does not receive external funding, required funds to purchase (amongst other things) tools, shelving for a poly tunnel, a children’s potting bench, a wheelbarrow and some compost.
The children’s gardening group was launched some years ago, and was known as ‘Green Shoots’, until it changed its name in 2016 when the children attending decided to make the garden more of a farm. The Group now has members who are as young as two years old. It teaches children about gardening, sustainability, wildlife and recycling, as well as encouraging a community spirit. The plot is close to the village’s church, St Andrew’s, which stands on the site of an Anglo-Saxon castle.
The garden was designed and is looked after by the children, who visit once a week or more to tend to their crops and learn about living off the land, as their Anglo-Saxon ancestors would have done.
Gillian Ibbotson, a solicitor at Latimer Hinks, said: “Latimer Hinks has been part of Darlington for more than 125 years, and we feel that it is very important that we support local community projects when we can, to help maintain the spirit of the town and its surrounding villages.
“My children are part of the Children’s Community Garden group and look forward to going every week. They love seeing how the different plants and vegetables they have planted grow. It helps them to learn while having fun outdoors, which is fantastic.”
Pat Lloyd, who runs the group, said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to Latimer Hinks for their kind donation to help us buy essential equipment for the garden. We are not a charity and we don’t receive any funding, so we rely on donations and fundraising events to keep going.
“It’s wonderful when local businesses, like Latimer Hinks, get behind projects like this, as it shows their commitment to the community. The children will be delighted with the new tools for our lovely garden.”