There was a buzz of excitement recently at Hay-on-Wye Primary School when a celebrity helped open their new allotment area.

After months of research, planning and hard work by pupils, staff, parents and friends, the new allotment area was opened towards the end of last month.

‘Plot y Blaned’ or 'The Planet Patch', a name chosen by Year Five pupils, was planted and ready to be shown to the public. This was the culmination of months of work following an initial grant application by Year Five teacher, Mrs Sharon Gregory, for £15,000 to design, create and develop a school allotment whilst also rewilding the school site.

A team from the organisation who donated the grant came to interview the pupils, who gave a superb presentation on the importance of gardening to biodiversity, wellbeing and understanding of the flora and fauna around us.

A whole-school family picnic was arranged, with stalls selling eco-themed items made by pupils from all classes as well as businesses form the local community, which included bee-keeping and the school's PTFhAy making seed bombs to promote further interest and share good practice.

After everyone had eaten, Dr Chris van Tulleken arrived in time for performances from each class in the school - a rich mix of bilingual poetry, rap and songs - before he cut the ribbon to the gateway of Plot y Blaned / The Planet Patch and kindly agreed to be photographed with each class before he left.

Chris van Tulleken or “Dr Chris” as he is known, has a medical degree from Oxford and a

PhD in molecular virology. He is an associate professor at University College London and a practicing infectious diseases doctor. A broadcaster for children and adults on BBC television and radio, he has won two BAFTAs and is known for presenting Operation Ouch! with his twin brother Dr Xand van Tulleken or “Dr Xand”.

In order to educate children about medicine and biology, doctors Chris and Xand van Tulleken perform experiments on the human body to see how they work and investigate medical treatments and technology. The doctors also offer "try this at home" experiments for viewers to participate in.