New £3.3 million garden education centre

17:43 5th July 2010

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is to continue its work educating children in the art of garden and greenhouse growing.

It recently opened its new Bramall Learning Centre at Garden Harlow Carr, which will cater for more than 10,000 children each year.

The building is said to be one of the most environmentally-friendly in the UK, with its own solar panels and wind turbine to generate electricity.

Another feature is the sun pipes which channel light into the rooms of the building using mirrors.

It was opened by Blue Peter gardener Chris Collins with help from the pupils of Beckwinshaw Community Primary School.

"It was a pleasure to have Chris Collins joining us to celebrate the building's official opening as he shares our passion for inspiring children to get involved with gardening as part of a healthy and balanced lifestyle," said Harlow Carr boss Liz Thwaite.

Meanwhile, the RHS has elected Elizabeth Banks as the first female president in its 206-year history.