EXETER COLLEGE Foundation Studies students have been encouraged to do a little ‘blue sky’ thinking and put forward ideas as to how the Exeter Urban Garden will look once completed.

Geoffrey Brown, newly-appointed as the project leader, was keen to welcome ideas, visions and inspiration from the College’s Foundation Studies Garden Group as to what they would like to see incorporated into the design.

Meeting with them today (Tuesday, November 30), he sifted through all their plans before asking the students to vote for items they collectively wanted to see featured in the garden.

Delighted with the huge array of suggestions put forward for the ‘Grand Design’ competition, Geoffrey said: “The students had such original ideas. There were thoughts about installing swings and a trampoline, chicken and rabbit runs, and a mock campsite in which to practice camping and bushcraft skills.

“A herb garden, raised beds, compost bins, a pond, a picnic table, and a farmers’ market where grown produce could be sold were also ideas brought to the table. And there was even mention of installing a Jacuzzi and a mini-golf course!

“While not all of these ideas are practical for various reasons, they certainly showed off the students’ imagination. We will now decide together how to take some of these ideas forward.”

Exeter College’s Sustainability Group received £25,000 worth of funding from the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) in summer to proceed with the proposed Exeter Urban Garden Project on a designated site at its Hele Road campus.

Situated within mature, walled grounds behind some of the College’s oldest buildings to the front of the main site, the aim will be for students and staff to regenerate an area of disused land, transforming it into a vibrant, sustainable garden and outdoor learning space. It will be accessible to those who use the College on a regular basis, and the wider Exeter community by agreement.

As the garden develops, it is expected to become not only a focal point of the College’s ambitious Sustainability Programme, but also a best practice example of sustainable living for the wider Exeter community.

To be primarily used by those attending entry level, Level 1 and 2, and Skills For Living students, and pupils attending College through its 14-16 programmes for local schools, it will also provide an ideal open art space for students’ Creative Media and Design projects. Completion is expected in May 2011.