Harvest @ Home Bicester

Every Friday from April 2024 to 19 July 2024, Harvest @ Home Bicester has welcomed a special group of students from the Hazel Class at Bardwell School to Garth Garden. The students have enjoyed creating a well-being garden with a unique blend of art and gardening activities. These hands-on experiences have been well loved by both the students and the leaders, and have been forces for bringing both creativity and nature together through their projects.

All photos by Eddy Xi Gong

The nine enthusiastic students have attended the weekly sessions under the direction of the Harvest @ Home Bicester Lead, Amanda Groom. Other community guests, including Lemongrass PR, also joined specific sessions to help the students gain community experience.


The crowning project of the sessions was a vibrant 3D art wall. Creating it taught the students the power of innovation and waste reduction in art. The students transformed blank, grey screens and empty drink cans into vibrant and eye-catching flowers. They then layered the sculptures with paint to create stunning floral displays.

The pupils also enjoyed varied gardening tasks every Friday. Rain or shine, they sowed seeds, potted plants, weeded, watered, pruned, and planted vegetables. They also built a brilliant bug hotel with the help of Verity Turner from Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) / Wild Bicester.

Teachers Note Positive Effect on Students

The impact of these sessions is evident in the heartfelt sentiments shared from those involved. 

Teacher Tamarin Wiese said, “I’m really going to miss this. It has been such a wonderful adventure for us all. The children love meeting new people now after this experience.” 

Teaching Assistant Megan Robins-Bourton added, “I love seeing them so happy and enjoying themselves. So excited all their hard work has paid off. it looks absolutely amazing. I’m really going to miss Fridays.”

On 19 July, 2024, we invited the Mayor of Bicester and parents to attend the last session. It was an emotional moment as they reflected together on their achievements and took in the beauty of the garden together. Each child was presented with a certificate of achievement and contribution.

Harvest @ Home Bicester hopes to continue this wonderful initiative with a new group of children next year. It is currently working on ways to adapt the program to meet the varying needs of future participants. These Friday sessions have not only been a joyful experience but have also fostered a sense of community, creativity, and a love for nature among the children.

The team looks forward to many more Fridays filled with art, gardening, and smiles!