Planting Project Commemorates Villages Wartime Links
Mature students at Derby College Group’s Broomfield Hall have designed and planted a flowerbed in Horsley Woodhouse to commemorate the important role that the village played in World War Two.
Picture shows, from left DCG Horticulture students Cath Davison, Sean Smith, Claudia Bain and Sally Filby with teacher Mike Baldwin.
Horsley Woodhouse was home to three factories which were opened at the beginning of the war following concerns that the main Rolls-Royce factory in Derby would be targeted by German bombers.
Initially, old and damaged RAF engines came to the village’s factory to be stripped and sent for scrap before two of the sites were charged with inspecting Merlin engine parts which powered the iconic spitfire planes. A third factory was involved in the building of a new tank engine for the Army.
Keen to showcase this wartime link, Horsley Parish Council contacted the Horticulture team at Broomfield Hall to create a planted memorial which has recently been completed.
The part time students, who are all studying for the RHS level two qualification, and teacher Mike Baldwin, have created a circular red, white and blue flowerbed with the outline of a spitfire aeroplane at the centre.
Local historian Don Barham explained: “The locals nicknamed the operation the “Spitfire” factories as the Spit had become the iconic fighter of the RAF after its victories in the Battle of Britain during the summer of 1940.
“The name stuck and has always been associated with these sites in the village so it is very appropriate that we have something to commemorate them.”
Parish Council clerk Kay Richardson added: “We have had some great feedback about the flowerbed and look forward to it becoming more established in future years.”
One of the mature students involved, Cath Davison from Littleover, said: “I didn’t know I had such a passion for gardening until lockdown so enrolled on this course to develop my knowledge.
“It has been great to work on a live project and to put something back into a local community.”
More News From Amber Valley Info
Working Parents Encouraged To Apply Now For 30 Hours Of Funded Childcare Working parents of babies and pre-school children are being encouraged to apply now for up to 30 hours of fu read more | |
Working In Partnership To Support Derbyshire Residents Working together to support Derbyshire residents and strengthen communities was the clear message to come out of a meeting bet read more | |
Heanor five-year-old wins £100 for school library A creative five-year-old from Heanor is celebrating after winning a charity competition to design a book cover with a Communi read more | |
Trading Standards Warn Don't Fall Foul Of Rogue Roofers Trading standards are warning Derbyshire residents to be on their guard against rogue roofers after nearly half of the doorst read more | |
Cromford Mills Awarded Major Grant from The National Heritage Lottery Fund The Arkwright Society is delighted to announce that Cromford Mills has secured £1.3 million in vital de read more | |
The Amber Valley Info Noticeboard
When you need to call 999 but can't talk When you need to call 999 but can't talk - the ‘silent solution’ can help. Press 55 on your mobile when prompted, to confirm you are in read more | |
The opening night of the Lights of Abraham Winter Lights Trail The brand new winter lights trail, the 'Lights of Abraham' opened on Friday 22nd November at the Heights of Abraham in read more | |
Can You Help DREAM Paranormal With Their Research My name is Simon Dean, Lead Investigator of DREAM paranormal and I am looking for your help. read more | |
Cold Callers claiming to be working on behalf of Derbyshire County Council Policehave seen and increase in reports of 'cold callers' where people are claiming to be working on behal read more | |
Subscriptions For Amber Valley Borough Councils 2024 Garden Waste Service Are Now Open The garden waste collection service is available to all residents in Amber Valley except for r read more | |