A Holywell high school has played a key role in enhancing the town’s green spaces – starting with its own premises.
Ysgol Treffynnon’s plaza, an area shared with neighbouring Ysgol Maes Y Felin, has been transformed following support from Flintshire County Council Regeneration Team’s Town Centre Investment Programme (TCIP).
The scheme, which was awarded funding from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), enabled the purchase of five colourful large-scale planters and a range of flora to help boost the site’s visual appeal.
It’s eco-committee, comprising of approximately a dozen pupils from years nine and ten, selected a range of evergreen plants and bulbs for the containers to foster biodiversity.
Funding from the programme also allowed for the purchase of two wooden cold frames to regulate temperature, soil, and seeds for herbs and vegetables, including rosemary, sage, mint, tomatoes, kale, and spinach.
Produce grown will be used by pupils in food technology classes and managed by members of the eco-committee, whilst the installation of a new outdoor tap will allow direct access to clean, running water.
Further measures to develop its outdoor space included the replacement of the existing drainage system, and the removal of five sunken tree pits in the plaza successfully eliminating the trip hazard and subsequently enhancing site safety.
Ysgol Treffynnon business manager Gemma Boniface said: “Without the support from the UKSPF and Flintshire County Council, it wouldn’t have been financially feasible for us to have introduced the changes that have taken place, so we’re very grateful for the help we’ve received.
“It’s been fantastic to see our youngsters gain hands-on experience and insight during the scheme by building the cold frames themselves and learning what plants are best suited for the large planters in the plaza.
“I also want to say thank you to our biology teacher and eco-committee lead, Mr Matthew Warwick, for facilitating the group’s meetings and helping arrange brilliant initiatives such as this.”
Alongside upgrades to the school grounds, the eco-committee engaged with the North Wales Wildlife Trust and Flintshire County Council’s Regeneration team to enhance flora and fauna at the top of the historic 70-acre Greenfield Valley Heritage Park – a project developed in partnership with Transition Holywell and District Group.
Part-funded by Welsh Government’s Local Places for Nature fund and UKSPF, the project saw the teenagers, Flintshire County Council’s Biodiversity Team, and volunteers from the Transition Group apply mulch over approximately 70m2 of existing earth.
Efforts will help the soil retain moisture, regulate temperature, prevent weeds, and gain more nutrients, creating suitable conditions for plant growth.
Offering a young person’s perspective, the team are also set to give feedback on the newly purchased outdoor benches, which include fitted games such as chess and snakes and ladders for public use.
Developed in partnership with Holywell Town Council, the amenities form part of Holywell’s heritage trail linking both Greenfield Valley and Fron Park to the historic town centre, increasing footfall by encouraging visitors to explore the locality.
Flintshire County Council project development officer Emily Warren said: “It’s been great to have young people from Ysgol Treffynnon actively involved in improving the green areas across Holywell along with volunteers from Transition Holywell and District Group and Holywell Ramblers.
“As part of our investment in green spaces, by working with community partners we hope to restore a greater sense of community, foster local pride in the town, and raise its profile in the long-term through more vibrant infrastructure.”
Councillor Chris Dolphin, cabinet member for environment, regeneration, countryside, and tourism, said: “It’s vital to invest in green spaces across the wider community, and it’s brilliant to offer our young people the chance to contribute to such enhancements in a meaningful way.
“The Town Centre Investment Programme allows not only key improvements to be made but provides an educational tool for those with an interest in getting out in the fresh air and making a difference.”
The Town Centre Investment Programme (TCIP) received nearly £571,000 from Flintshire County Council’s allocation of the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
