This week presenter Ellie Harrison and the Countryfile Cameras have been filming students from Mendip Studio and Writhlington Schools for the broadcast on August 6th which will be all about plants in medicine.
The students who are all involved in the Writhlington Orchid Project talk about their work with some of the world’s rarest plants and in particular their efforts to support sustainability and conservation by growing plants in the school laboratory as well as setting up propagation laboratories in schools in Rwanda.
Jess Buckle who contacted Countryfile in May to explain her project work described the day as a brilliant opportunity to let more people know about the ways in which students are making a real difference to conservation in tropical countries.
Twelve year old Otto Johnson was filmed describing pollination. He explained, “Ellie was really interested in how we produce the seed we need for our propagation laboratory and so I showed her how I take the pollen on a tiny stick from one flower and move it onto the stigmatic surface on another.”
Amalia, year 7, a regular fan of Countryfile, said, “The best thing for me was meeting Ellie and getting to talk to the cameras about my favourite plants.”
Ellie Harrison who has a wide experience of conservation was very impressed with the students and their knowledge.
If you would like to know more about the students and their work the next Writhlington and Mendip Orchid Show will be on July 1st from 10am to 4pm with tours of the greenhouse and laboratory as well as orchid displays from across the South West.
