St Leonard’s CE Primary Academy Helps Hayfield Plant New Woodland in Broad Blunsdon, Wiltshire

Year Three Children from St Leonard’s CE Primary Academy have helped with the planting of a new woodland at Hayfield Wood in the Wiltshire village of Broad Blunsdon.

4,755 native trees and shrubs are currently being planted at the expansive 16-acre scheme, which will also include a new community shop, café, wildflower meadow, and 70 eco-focused new homes with architecture that is reflective of the traditional homes found in the historic village.  

St Leonard’s – which is a few minutes’ walk from the Hayfield Wood development on Sams Lane – has also depicted what life is like in Broad Blunsdon, by filling a large time capsule with children’s work and a collection of school information relating to the present day. 30 children from the Church of England School had a site safety talk and brick laying demonstration before burying the time capsule within the new woodland area. The siting where the time capsule is buried will be marked by a commemorative plaque.

Children at the Primary Academy - which has local pupils aged four to 11 - created work in Art and English classes to put into the time capsule. In addition, the large purpose-made metal capsule has also been filled with; photos to provide a snapshot of life at St Leonard’s; the school’s vision and values; and information about what is happening in the world around us at this time. The time capsule was placed over one metre underground, and the Year Three children helped to relay the topsoil.  

Mrs Julie Warburton said: “Projects like this are a fantastic way for our whole school community to unite and think about what aspects of life in the present day would be of interest to future generations. It was also a great experience to come to the Hayfield Wood site to bury the time capsule and get involved with the planting of the new woodland, which is right next to St Leonard’s Church. Seeing a busy development site in action and quizzing the Site Manager and his team has even inspired some of the children to think about a career in construction.”

Liam Gilbert, Area Production Director for Hayfield said: “Alerting children to the dangers present on live development sites is as important as enthusing them to consider a career in construction and engineering. We are so pleased with the thoughtful and considered way the children from St Leonard’s CE Primary Academy have engaged with the tree planting and construction activities. And having the time capsule buried here creates a fascinating story that can be re-told to future generations.”

Broad Blunsdon lies six miles north of the centre of Swindon, with the A419 forming the village’s southern boundary. The sought-after village was mentioned in the Domesday Book. Following thorough analysis of the existing high-quality architectural vernacular, the variety of house designs are being constructed in a mix of red brick and reconstituted stone, taking inspiration from traditional properties in the village.

Hayfield Wood is located off Sams Lane, Broad Blunsdon, Wiltshire, SN26 7AZ. For enquiries, please call 0800 161 5425, or email HayfieldWood@Hayfieldhomes.co.uk. Further details are available at www.hayfieldhomes.co.uk.

For more information on Hayfield’s development portfolio, visit: https://www.hayfieldhomes.co.uk/