Youngsters say it with flowers!
By Gemma Good
The green fingered children of Swiftbrook Glen in Virginia have planted a beautiful wildflower garden to add some colour to their estate.
The budding gardener’ planted the seeds at the end of May under the supervision of Stephen Flanagan, who is “big into gardening”.
Stephen was inspired to plant the seeds after seeing the “lovely wildflower patches” in neighbouring area Maghera.
“It’s just really nice to see,” Stephen commented.
He approached the residents committee in the estate to see if he could get “a few bob” for some seeds to plant. After they happily agreed, Stephen set off with his spade to dig up some flower beds.
“We got the kids around and they planted the seeds, it was a fun day,” he remembered, explaining how the neighbours came out for “a chat and a cup of tea”.
He said the initiative has brought people together
“It’s not nice to be in an estate where nobody talks to each other,” he said.
The community feared the flowers wouldn’t grow when the recent dry spell of weather came. With the children’s love, care and some help from mother nature, Stephen said the flowers “flew up”.
“We were delighted,” he said, mentioning that the beautiful blossoms have received much praise from the neighbours.
“It’s not that expensive it just takes a bit of hard work and a few seeds.
“The kids love it,” Stephen said, explaining every time they are driving past they say - “we planted them!”
Two of the gardeners, Max and Lucy Flanagan, were rehearsing a song for this year’s Late Late Toy Show when the Celt called. They took a quick break to speak about their new hobby.
Lucy, who is 11, said she was busy out gardening during lockdown. She is most proud of the flower garden.
“Loads of people have said that they look really pretty,” she beamed.
Lucy is looking forward to going into sixth class at St Mary’s National School in Virginia. She is going to tell her teachers all about her gardening endeavours over the summer
Her younger brother Max (7) also enjoyed planting the wildflowers. Max said he made the plants grow using loads of water and by “taking the weeds out”. He loves the flowers now that they are grown up.
Stephen said there is a lovely bunch of children in the estate who are “always up to something”. He praised their efforts and said they hope to keep the garden blooming in the future.
“In these times it gives people a bit of a boost,” he said.
“The kids brought all the adults out,” he added.
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