Gray’s primary school in Newhaven was visited recently by Jason and Jim Paice MP, the shadow Agriculture Minister.

They had come particularly to see the vegetables, flowers and herbs grown by the children, in tractor tyres supplied by Roger Foxwell, a local farmer. The tyres are a convenient and safe way of holding the earth in sufficient quantity to grow plants.

Roger also highlighted the publication provided for schools by the NFU which encourages schools to source local ingredients and promote healthy eating.

Jim said: “All too often, children believe that food is produced in plastic bags in supermarkets. These children loved getting their hands dirty and also enjoyed eating the crops that they’d grown.” Jason added “It’s great seeing local farmers taking the time and trouble to help in school projects. Gray’s is an attractive and dynamic place to learn, and our local farmers are helping to make these children’s education even more outward looking and inter-active.”