Fresh Air

by Ros Barber (Brighton)

On a cold damp Saturday morning I awoke with a lazy start, but I was eager to attend the Moulsecoomb Garden Project. I met with my fellow playworkers at the gate. The carers dropped their children off who were looking forward to the day ahead.

A guide took us on a walk showing and describing various plants. We picked and sniffed them and tried to guess what they might be. We also took a short walk in the woods. We played at being animals and What's the time Mr Wolf?

A group were digging and planting potatoes. A child took the coloured wooden blocks out of a trolly and pushed it up a hill, sat in it, then rolled down. He was also fascinated in catching a bumble bee, despite his efforts it went merrily on its way.

Whilst sitting around the camp fire a child began to sing and most of us joined in. We tucked into hot dogs and drank hot chocolate as trains were passing in the distance.

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What Ros Barber says about Fresh Air:

This story was sent in by Louise Tipaldi of Hove, who says: "I help with a charity that gives all children the chance to play. We were invited on the trip as a lovely gesture by one of the playworkers who new the owners of the project. The facilities at our charity are limited. It was a good chance for children to get an experience of some rough play and gain self confidence. They all got on well together and really enjoyed the day. The weather was cold but the company was warm. It did help the children to learn about the environment and thinking about being green; we even had a bucket which was used as an eco-loo."