Exeter Chiefs back ‘Dig Down South West’

Tom Johnson and Neil Clark from the Premiership club (pictured) took time out of their busy schedule today to help children at The Topsham School to harvest some of the vegetables they have been growing and help them to tend their gardens. They were also on-hand to give their own advice about the benefits of eating healthily and exercising.

The Topsham School was one of eighteen primary schools in Devon to receive their own vegetable garden from the ‘Dig Down South West’ campaign, supported by regional insurance firm Cornish Mutual. The initiative was launched earlier this year by well-known TV gardening expert Charlie Dimmock.

Tom Johnson, back-row player with the Exeter Chiefs commented: “It’s so important for children to understand that growing and eating fresh fruit and vegetables is the key to a healthier lifestyle – that’s something, as professional rugby players, we understand well and really support through this campaign. It was great to visit the school today, to get involved in helping the children and to see what they’ve been doing.”

50 vegetable gardens have been created in schools across the region, as a key part of ‘Dig Down South West’. The objective of the project is to help primary school children, between the ages of five and eight, to take an active interest in gardening and learn about the benefits of growing their own produce.

Philip Wilson from Cornish Mutual, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have the support of the Exeter Chiefs for ‘Dig Down South West’. The players are excellent role models for the children to learn from and find out how they can eat more healthily by getting involved in campaigns like this. We hope to help build the children’s knowledge and nurture their enthusiasm for the future.”

The Topsham School has been developing its grounds over the past few years and has established growing within its teaching. It has also worked with the local organic farm ‘Highfield’.

Justin Vernon, teacher at The Topsham School, near Exeter said: “We are always looking for ways of developing our Sustainability Curriculum and Dig Down South West seemed like an ideal opportunity to do this. It is enabling the children to further their growing experiences and also think about sharing their crops in the local community and learn about the importance of being able to buy food locally. Their enthusiasm and enjoyment whenever they’re busy in the school garden or kitchen garden at Highfield Farm proves what an important element of the curriculum we offer this is.”

The vegetables grown in The Topsham School’s allotment are being given to the charity ‘Eastuary League of Friends’, providing services for the local elderly population. The produce donated will be used by a local pub, as part of a subsidised lunch they offer elderly residents during the week.

Justin adds: “This not only helps the children to learn about growing and different crops, but also develops their links with the residents of Topsham. Any produce we have left will be sold to parents, as part of our involvement in the ‘Shop Local’ campaign.”

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