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Pennyland polycrub built to withstand Thurso weather


By David G Scott

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A group of green-fingered parents of Pennyland Primary School pupils put their thinking caps on to create a special purpose-built polycrub greenhouse to withstand the harsh Thurso weather.

Back in August 2019, the Pennyland Parent Council (PPC) considered re-covering the existing polytunnel at the school. After some discussion, it was agreed that there was no point wasting money on the project only for the extreme winds to destroy it again, as had previously happened.

The polycrub tunnel is solidly built to withstand the local weather conditions.
The polycrub tunnel is solidly built to withstand the local weather conditions.

That is when the Polycrub Project was born. A polycrub is a polytunnel/greenhouse hybrid designed in Shetland and built to withstand high wind speeds and the harshest of climates.

Anji Mackenzie, chairperson of PPC, said: "We believed this would be more suitable and after some research we submitted our application to the Caithness and North Sutherland Fund (CNSF).

"In the November we were extremely delighted to hear we had been successful, and the project was planned to commence in April 2020." Due to Covid the project had to be put on hold, but the CNSF was thankfully understanding, said Anji, and would extend the grant period until the work was able to proceed.

View inside the polycrub tunnel.
View inside the polycrub tunnel.

In April 2021 during the school holidays, the group started work on the polycrub and although there was a lot more groundwork involved than it had initially planned, the project was completed within the original budget.

PPC secretary Donna Foubister said: "We would not have got there if it had not been for the generosity of all the companies and individuals. We hope they are as proud of the Polycrub Project as we are, and we thank them all for their amazing contribution.

Another interior shot of the polycrub tunnel.
Another interior shot of the polycrub tunnel.

"We would have liked to have done this in person with a grand opening, but due to current Covid restrictions this is not possible. We will hopefully get an opportunity later in the year to do something."

Apart from the CNSF which provided over 80 per cent of the funding, the parent council also thanked Thurso Grows and Jamie Stone MP who wrote a letter of support for the funding application and gave advice.

Steven Henderson and Marc Robertson, did most of the work on the project donating a full week of their time for free.

Kevin Ross Groundworks provided an excavator and labour and Gerry Henderson (GMR Henderson) provided the machinery required to get the ground area backfilled and level. Dounreay Employee Charity Fund donated £500 for the group to buy trowels, forks, gloves, knee mats, steps and a watering hose for the kids to work in the polycrub. Various others who helped with the project were thanked including teachers and staff members from the school.

The polycrub comes with a 10-year guarantee that is only valid if it has been built by professionals.


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