Strode College students meet King Charles in special trip to London's Community Kitchen
Along with London's Community Kitchen, they've been working on a project building a permaculture garden - in what's thought to be a first-of-its kind between a school and a community group
Last updated 16th Dec 2022
Since the summer, Strode College has been working in collaboration with London's Community Kitchen - and yesterday, the results of their latest project were realised - when they met King Charles, the Queen Consort, and London's Mayor, Sadiq Khan.
Yesterday (Thursday 15th), it was like an early Christmas present for the staff and students of the college, who welcomed their high-profile guests to the opening of the permaculture garden to help feed and educate the people of our capital city.
One student - Milly - explained what it was like to meet King Charles himself at the special launch.
She said: "Fortunately, everyone managed to have a small chat with the King, and I think that was a really nice touch, especially as we've travelled many hours to have this opportunity.
"It was lovely that he - despite meeting everyone - gave us all a few seconds, so we could shake hands with him.
"It was a great experience for everyone, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Tutor at Strode College, Kate Frapwell, agreed.
She said: "Today was a special day that we all really enjoyed - meeting royalty, and the Mayor of London.
"It all went by in a bit of a blur, but His Majesty was so interested in what we were doing - and whether or not our students were on their Christmas break yet - and he wished us all a very merry Christmas, which was a lovely touch.
"To get to this moment, though, it's been a really interesting journey. What they do at the London Community Kitchen is look at food waste, and we might have been working with them to get to this moment - but they've educated us a lot, too.
"As a more rural community ourselves, we've now got a link with more urban areas of the country, and it's a really great relationship that's now forming with them."
The school's work with London's Community Kitchen is one that connects the city to the countryside, and connects young people in more built-up areas with the origins of the food that ends up on their plate.
What's most important about their work with the Community Kitchen, however, is their emphasis on reducing food waste, and making sure those who may not have the means to afford good food now have access to enriching their diet.
One student - Beatrice - said: "What I really like about the project is that they hold cooking classes for families and children who don't know how to cook. They're using all the food that's taken, that doesn't go to waste - and that's a really inspiring thing."
This is a project that's been a labour of love - and one that started all the way back in the summer between London's Community Kitchen and Strode College.
Since then, the city-based community have made their way to the South West, while Strode's students have made their way to London - it's been a journey that's quite literally brought both groups to the other side of the country.
For the school, though, it's been an opportunity they'd never wanted to have passed-up.
Sam, another student who came on the journey to London, said: "I think this project is a brilliant idea. A keen interest of mine is food safety and the food industry, so allowing young pupils in primary schools in every area to get involved with something like this Community Kitchen, then it'll make sure this industry continues to grow.
"If we can be a part of this now, it can only be a good thing!"
Making his way to London with the students and staff, Principal John Revill said: "The experience that the students and staff had, and meeting Sadiq Khan - it was such an inspirational moment.
"The whole permaculture project that we got involved with just a few weeks ago has just opened our eyes to the same culture, vision and ethos of a like-minded organisation who can support what the college do here within Somerset and Mendip, and how we can have that cultural exchange with an organisation in London to support our young people and the communities within Glastonbury and Street and within the London Boroughs.
"Both of our regions have poverty - it's the same problem - and we need to look for inspirational solutions to solve that, and this is part of that journey.
"I don't think it's done before - it's a first of a linking-up of like-minded organisations for the betterment of the community. Now, we're just going to build on that synergy we've created going forward."
Like all good projects - more are also set to come, and it's just like their Principal said: it's all about on building on a good thing to keep that momentum going - especially as what this project does is turn the concept of food and lower income families on its head.
After all, they can only continue to learn from each other - and support each other's communities - if they keep this collaboration moving.
Sarah Probert, Head of Faculty for Higher Education, said: "There's lots of exciting things on the horizon. We'd love to see how we can raise aspirations and create more opportunity for adults and young people.
"Those fantastic links between our rural community, the diversity and fantastic organisations we have in Somerset - and London's Community Kitchen... there's going to be a lot of cross-pollination to what we do in the future!"
You can find out more about London's Community Kitchen here.