Primary school children plant 100 wildflowers for Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday

A group of primary school children in Nateby, inspired by Sir David Attenborough, have marked the natural historian and broadcaster’s landmark 100th birthday.

Inspired by the broadcaster, Children at Nateby Primary School got busy planting 100 native wildflowers on Friday, May 8, 2026, to celebrate Sir David’s birthday.

The school hopes the new plants will increase biodiversity in the grounds, with the children excited they will attract more butterflies and bees to the area each year.

Headteacher Helen Smith said: “Sir David Attenborough has been a wonderful inspiration to the children at our school, encouraging them to care for our natural world and protect the environment.

“To celebrate his incredible legacy, our pupils have planted wildflowers around the school grounds, creating a lasting tribute to his passion for nature and wildlife.

“We hope this small act reflects the values he has championed for so many years and inspires our children to go on protecting nature for generations to come.”

Working in partnership with the Forest of Bowland National Landscape, plug plants were sourced locally from the Hermitage Field Community Meadow, with help from Erica Sarney and her volunteers.

Mrs Payne, a teaching assistant for Class 1, said: “We made the conscious decision to choose wildflowers native to the UK, including buttercups, yarrow, knapweed, clover and oxeye daisy.

“Currently in science, our class is learning how plants grow, so this is a great opportunity for them to see the roots and plants up close and get their hands dirty.”

Adding to the celebrations, earlier in the week the whole school helped plant sweet peas in the front gardens with the Nateby in Bloom team.

Head bloomers Duncan Whitfield and David Salisbury said: “With the help of some good teamwork from the children, we managed to plant 86 sweet peas.”