We would like to introduce you to Borrowfield Primary School in Montrose, Angus, who we are going to follow across this academic year, as part of The Journey of Food The Story of Vegetables. 

Borrowfield has approximately 250 pupils and all ages are involved in the growing that has been taking place, led by Mrs Shepherd, making good use of their polytunnel and orchard area.  Over the year they will be telling us all about what they are doing in their polytunnel and their new ‘Veggie Village’.

The school’s Headteacher Mrs Milloy originally contacted RHET Angus Countryside Initiative (ACI) about helping to increase the amount of growing the pupils could do, by getting a bit of their playing field ploughed up.  Seeing the huge opportunity for a real learning experience RHET ACI came up with the idea of having a Tractor Day at the school.

Permission was given by Angus Council once they had checked there were no drains in the area proposed for ploughing.  This was near the polytunnel and close to an outside tap, so watering in seedlings etc would be easier.

RHET ACI Director Willie Officer kindly sent his Tractorman Jim Skene along for the day, with his huge New Holland tractor and a 5 furrow reversable plough.  However, Jim would have done the job far too quickly, so local machinery firm Agricar also allowed Jim’s son Arran, who is one of their mechanics, to bring along the 50 year old Ford tractor he is renovating and with which he has been entering some local ploughing matches.

After setting up, Arran then ploughed one pass with his 2 furrow reversible plough for each of the ten classes that came out to watch over the day, even the nursery class came out while the main school was having lunch.  Once they had watched the ploughing the pupils then got a closer look at the two tractors together and we all talked about what the differences are between tractors now, with satellite navigation, far more power and lots more complicated gadgets and Arran’s tractor, which is much smaller and where the air conditioning means opening a window.  Mrs Shepherd was very excited as she even got to sit in the New Holland before Jim and Arran packed up to head home.

This video was put together by Mrs Shepherd, capturing what was a busy and great fun day we had with the whole school.

So, watch out for more from Borrowfield Primary School this year on the RHET Blog.

#Journeyoffood #StoryofVegetables #theRHET #RHETAngusCI #BorrowfieldSchoolCommunity #Agricar #NewHolland