Batsford Arboretum Mr. Rotavator's Nature Days
This exciting day is offered to primary schools and is set in the wonderful surroundings of Batsford Arboretum, a paradise for seeing nature in its true, unspoilt form . ‘The day is fronted by Mr Rotavator – the colourful & popular gardening personality who presents the award-winning Channel 4 Primary Science series ‘Growing Plants’.
We can accommodate a maximum of 60 children (2 classes) per day, which are split into two groups. After a greeting at 10am, one group are taken on a fascinating trail of discovery around the Arboretum by Mr Rotavator, taking in aspects of geography, history, and of course – science & nature! The teacher of the other group will be given a different trail to follow with a map and points of interest sheet. The day ends at 2.30pm.
The day is well structured, varied, and links to the National Curriculum KS 1 & 2 Science ‘Green Plants’ section of ‘Life Processes and Living Things’. Children will discover fascinating things about diversity, variation and classification of plants; growth & nutrition of plants and food chains; reproduction of plants and seed dispersal; adaptations of plants & animals to habitats and the economic importance of plants in all areas of our lives. The message of the day is definitely “We need plants!”
Every child receives a packet of seeds and nature-themed puzzle & colouring sheets to take home. There are Thompson & Morgan seed collections for each class along with vouchers for Westland compost, to enable follow up ’growing’ work at school.
After their visit, children will see the ‘living encyclopaedia’ of nature in a different light! This quality, fun and educational day will prove an exciting resource for both pupils & teachers and allows unique development of this area of The National Curriculum. Schools are also able to contact Mr Rotavator for further help & advice or to arrange a ‘Nature & Gardening Experience Day’ visit from him.
The cost of the day is just £2.50 per child and £2.50 per helper to cover our administration. There is also a gift shop where children can purchase mementoes of their visit.
Mr Rotavator is a particularly unique nature & gardening presenter. His enthusiastic approach and subtle humour, blend with his extensive horticultural knowledge, to create the Nation’s most inspiring gardening personality, who’s novel approach makes the subject both fun and exciting.
He has the ability to hold childrens’ attention and he explains things in a friendly, simple way that makes it easy for them to understand. Mr Rotavator’s ‘message’ includes a caring approach to wildlife, the environment and other people.
Mr Rotavator also shows the safer and more environmentally friendly ways to grow plants by introducing people to the garden’s beneficial wildlife, such as worms, spiders, ladybirds, hedgehogs, many of which are nature’s ways of controlling aphids, slugs, snails and other garden pests. Novice and experienced adult gardeners alike are informed and entertained as Mr Rotavator introduces them to innovative ideas to make gardening enjoyable and rewarding.
Mr Rotavator is devised and performed by gardening presenter and journalist, Steve Brookes. He currently co-presents a lively, weekly gardening show on BBC Radio WM and also writes a weekly column for Garden News magazine. As well as being at Batsford Arboretum, Mr Rotavator can also be found at primary schools across the UK with his ‘Nature & Gardening Experience Day’. These days are a great hit, as is his Channel 4 Schools Primary Science series ‘Growing Plants’, which won a Royal Television Society Educational Television Award in 2001. ‘Mr Rotavator’s Gardening Club’ is also the only nationwide gardening club of its kind for children.
A warm, friendly style and and excellent presentation skills, coupled with his eye-catching outfit make Mr Rotavator the ideal nature presenter for schools, shows, events, radio, television and in the press.
For more information on the ‘Nature Days’ with Mr Rotavator please contact Steve Brooks on 01789 293131 or email him at steve@greenstyle.co.uk