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Growing Grounds Tree Nursery Official Opening at Easton College - May 2026

  • Writer: siloutaggart
    siloutaggart
  • May 21
  • 3 min read

Students at Easton College have created a fabulous tree nursery "Growing Grounds".


It was lovely to be invited back to Easton College; this time to bring along our green woodworking equipment and Blended Monkey information to the official opening of the "Growing Grounds" tree nursery - a fantastic outdoor environment.

We set up our pole lathe, shave horse and draw knife and also the axe and axe block. Students, staff and visitors were able to have a go on the equipment and experience the joy of using traditional green woodworking tools without the need for electricity.


We've provided green woodworking and spoon carving workshops to students at Easton for several years now, and it was lovely to see one of our students from 2025, Ollie, who is a very keen woodworker. He actually built the wonderful wooden pavilion that you can see at Growing Grounds.


The nursery is tended predominantly by Ticket students but they are assisted by other classes in the Inclusive Learning department. Some are less able but can still participate by watering and seed processing and just enjoying this enriching space.

The allotment area is run by Lisa Martin and Paul Grainge and their students who are also from the Inclusive Learning area.

Karen Dunlop has helped to make the whole project possible by securing the necessary funding for this exciting outdoor space. What a wonderful, nurturing environment - for plants, students and visitors alike!


We first saw it back in 2023 when it was in its infancy stage - just a polytunnel and a shed - but 3 years on and WOW what a transformation!


This incredible outdoor space will help to inspire a greater understanding of nature; providing students with the tools to develop skills in areas of teamwork, communication, confidence, listening and safe working practices.

Outdoor spaces are so very important and the "Growing Grounds" team are hoping to further expand the area to include green skills workshops, nature-based learning and community involvement.

It was great to read some of the students` statements about what the nursery means to them and what skills they are acquiring.


The nursery has been supported by funding from the Dudgeon Community STEM in Schools Fund and also the Norfolk County Council.


This exciting space was officially opened yesterday by Sir Thomas Hughes Hallet, chair of John Innes and keen supporter of the work that's been undertaken at the nursery. Sir Thomas planted a tree in the nursery to commemorate the opening.


I couldn't help myself and ended up buying lots of the fabulous plants that were on sale - sweet peas, tomatoes, squashes, herbs. The students have done an amazing job at cultivating these beautiful spaces, plants and trees. Oh, and they do a good line in marmalade and chutney too!


Thank you to Easton College for inviting us back - we really enjoy teaching young people our crafts and it was lovely to be involved in the official opening of the nursery.


"Growing Grounds" Tree Nursery Official Opening



We have some small-group spoon carving & green woodworking workshops coming up. These are being held in the Blended Monkey Studios and also at other venues:


Full-day green woodworking / pole lathe workshop at the Farmland Museum in Waterbeach (near Cambridge) - 25 July 2026:


Full-day green woodworking / pole lathe workshop at the Blended Monkey Studios in Upwell - 15 August 2026:


Half-day spoon / spatula carving workshop at the Blended Monkey Studios - 29 August 2026:


Full-day spoon carving - salad servers - workshop at the Farmland Museum & Denny Abbey - 27 September 2026:












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