Toddlers dig deep for sunflower challenge at Greenock community centre

LITTLE tots in Branchton are helping bring lots of colour to the neighbourhood by planting sunflowers.

Branchton Community Centre, who run parent and toddlers group sessions, have organised a special sunflower challenge.

Youngsters came along to plant them and will now wait to see which one grows tallest by the end of the summer.

The fun competition comes as the toddlers' group launch their outdoor summer sessions at the centre's garden.

Since being opened three years ago the community garden has become a haven for people of all ages, with gardening clubs and horticultural college courses taking place there.

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Now the toddlers will be out once a week enjoying the space and taking part in special activities.

Staff member Carol McEwan, who leads the toddlers group, said: " We are going to go into the garden for some outdoor fun every Wednesday.

"It is great for the kids and the adults. We started off planting sunflowers and the toddlers loved it. We have plans to make rockeries and lots of other activities coming up.

"This is a way of getting everyone outside and enjoying the space."

The centre's toddlers group welcomes around 40 kids each week.

Elijah Pyne (Image: George Munro)

Gran Liz McCowan stays in Branchton Road and brought her two-year-old grandson Elijah Pyne along while his mum is at work to plant a sunflower.

She said: "It is great to just come across the road and have this on our doorstep.

"We really enjoy coming along, the outdoor sessions are a great idea."

She was joined by others taking part in the challenge including seven month old Louie Murray and his gran Lynn Gilmour.

Lynn said: "We had great fun. The toddlers group here is brilliant."

Two-year-old Olivia Csipkes (Image: George Munro)

Branchton Community Centre's Francie Quinn, who will be taking the gardening sessions, said: "It is always great to have the kids here making the most of the garden. It is a great space and really well used."

*Branchton Parents and Toddlers group meets on Mondays from 9-11am and again on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9.30 to 11.30am.