Exeter Dunelm store helps local Beavers embark on a new gardening journey

The Exeter branch of Dunelm, the UK’s leading homeware retailer, has donated gardening supplies to a local Beavers group, helping them to earn their gardening badge.

The Beavers received the gardening equipment after winning a competition that was hosted by the Exeter store’s Community Facebook Group.

Nominated by the local community, the Beavers have now worked onimproving a local garden after receiving a small greenhouse, seven bags of compost and a large bag of bark chips from Dunelm. Readying the garden for spring, the Beavers have also enjoyed planting sunflowers, pumpkins, sweet peas and tomatoes.

The Sowton Industrial Estate based store also organised for local plumber Andy Drake to fit an outside tap for the garden plot, who donated his time free of charge to help the community group.

The garden will help the beavers achieve their Beaver Gardening Activity Badge which is earned by planting and nurturing plants for two months. In this time they’ll be expected to learn what happens to trees every season, know what tools are needed to garden and how to use them safely, find out what plants need to grow and keep a record of any visible changes in the two months.

Ed Bishop, the Dunelm store coach said, “We’ve loved supporting the Beavers on this occasion to help them achieve their gardening badge. It’s been lovely for us as a business to help our local community.”

Exeter Beavers is made up of 21 children aged 6-7 who meet every Tuesday in Alphington, with the garden project started in March 2022 as a way for the children to gain a better understanding of where their food comes from and how it is grown.

Wendy Turner, assistant team leader for the Exeter Beavers said, “We can’t thank Dunelm enough for their donations. I never imagined we would receive so much help with our garden project!”

The Beavers are regularly involved with the local community and recently helped the local church with a big clean up project that included sweeping up leaves.

To find out more about the Exeter Beavers, please visit https://www.scouts.org.uk/groups/10011334?loc=plymouth&page=33&slug=17th-Exeter-%28Alphington%29

Those wanting to keep up to date with their local Dunelm store including competitions and giveaways, can do so via the Dunelm Exeter Community Support Facebook Group