Member Article

Incredible local project wins national competition

A construction site in Ashington has won a national competition thanks to pupils from Central First School, Gentoo Construction and Bernicia.

An ‘Incredible Edible’ living wall was created on the site of the former Ashington hospital, where pupils used recycled materials to make bird feeders and bottle gardens, planted old pallets with herbs, lettuce and strawberry seeds and created a colourful mural at the centre of the design.

John Johnston, Deputy Chief Executive at Bernicia said: “It has been an excellent project to be involved in and to win the competition is fantastic. We would like to congratulate everyone involved in creating the incredible edible living wall. It is a great example of the benefit we committed to create through The Cheviots Development and the extent of its positive impact for the area.”

The ‘Ivor Goodsite’ hoardings competition from the Considerate Constructors Scheme, (CCS) encourages construction sites across the UK to get involved in the challenge and engage with local children’s groups to enthuse children about the built environment.

The living wall idea was chosen after the school had benefited from some environmental and plant workshops from Bernicia and Gentoo staff and the ‘Incredible Edible’ theme was woven in as it encompasses the idea of the site leaving a positive legacy in the area, with the school, local community and site staff able to reap the benefits from the walls produce.

David Dixon, Head of Customer Services at Gentoo Construction said: “We are delighted to be named as winners of this national competition, a big well done to everyone involved. The living wall helped to promote the importance of recycling, sustainability and the production of community-grown local produce, as well as giving us the opportunity to raise awareness of the dangers associated with playing on construction sites near where the children live and go to school.”

Considerate Constructors Scheme Chief Executive Edward Hardy said: “The Incredible Edible living wall is one of the most creative and environmentally-focused Ivor Goodsite hoarding competition entries we have ever seen. It is a great example of how the construction industry collaborates with the local community to produce a positive legacy for everyone”.

The project was inspired by Pam Warhurst and her Incredible Edible initiative which began in Todmorden, North Yorkshire as a community initiative dedicated to growing food locally. The idea is to take over some unused, unloved land and turn it into communal gardens where food can be grown and shared by all for free.

Gentoo Construction is currently on site of the former Ashington hospital building a 40 sheltered living apartment with communal living facilities and 26 sheltered living bungalows, complete with road and car parking infrastructure, private gardens and soft landscaping on behalf of Bernicia.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jennifer Scullion .