Haskins Garden Centre’s Sophie Lyall is runner-up in Cultivation Street?s ambassador competition.
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Cultivation Street is a campaign founded by David Domoney to reward communities caring for their streets.
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The campaign was introduced to celebrate community gardens and their ability to bring people together.
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The annual ambassador competition rewards those that go the extra mile.
Haskins Sophie works closely with schools and community groups
Sophie has been a Cultivation Street Ambassador for Haskins in West End since February. She co-ordinates the provision of compost, plants, bulbs, gloves, seeds and bird food to local schools.
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This summer, Sophie worked with the children to increase their interest in gardening. She helped them paint plant pots and grow sunflowers.
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In particular, Sophie helps out at Bitterne CE Primary School?s nature group. This sees a group of six children get together after school to learn more about gardening.
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Looking to the future, Sophie plans to refresh Bitterne CE Primary School?s garden.
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Sophie commented: ?I?m passionate about teaching children what I know about gardening. They?re the next generation of gardeners.
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“It?s great seeing how excited they get over a plant they have grown. It?s great to get children interested in being outdoors and enjoying nature, rather than sat in front of a computer screen.
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“Haskins is keen on encouraging this. This is evident from our ‘Garden Gang’ campaign.?
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Before the school holidays, Sophie worked with Shamblehurst Primary School to help create a memory garden for a 7-year old pupil.
Sourcing products for local gardens
Sophie sourced compost, large pots, herbs and wind chimes for the memory garden.
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Sophie continued: ?I?m proud to be a Cultivation Street Ambassador. I want the children I work with to have a garden they can enjoy. I want them to feel pleased that they have played a valuable part in creating it for others to enjoy.
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“I hope that over the next few years, I can link up with more schools and community groups to see how Haskins can help.?
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Alice Whitehouse, Cultivation Street?s campaign manager, commented: ?We’ve seen more entries. We?ve been astounded by the level of gardens and projects entered into the competition. This is matched by the devoted ambassadors that have worked hard throughout the year.
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“The Ambassadors are an integral part of the competition. Sophie from Haskins has been fantastic in her first year as an ambassador. We have no doubt that we will see more great work from her throughout the year.
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?Sophie has been exemplary at interacting with community groups in her area. This included her hand delivering packs Calliope Geraniums,as part of the industry?s biggest plant giveaway. 12,000 plants were given out to schools and community groups across the UK.?
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Sophie Lyall is Haskins? designated Cultivation Street Ambassador for the West End centre. She serves as a dedicated point of contact to support local community groups with a garden.
