The mayor of Tower Hamlets opened an edible garden and playground at a school in Poplar.

East London Advertiser: Mayor of Tower Hamlets John Biggs having a go on the water pump. Picture: Ken MearsMayor of Tower Hamlets John Biggs having a go on the water pump. Picture: Ken Mears (Image: Archant)

John Biggs visited Lansbury Lawrence in Cordelia Street on Tuesday to see their edible garden and officially open the new playground.

His visit coincided with the school’s International Day, a celebration of the diversity within the local community.

Every Monday and Wednesday, Year Five students have been helping the school’s gardener in the new edible garden. They’ve been composting dead plants to make new soil, collecting seeds, planting beetroots and harvesting fruit and vegetables to sell to parents.

The organic produce gets sold at the end of each school day, and the edible garden was open to parents during Tuesday’s visit.

East London Advertiser: Mayor of Tower Hamlets John Biggs having a go on the water pump. Picture: Ken MearsMayor of Tower Hamlets John Biggs having a go on the water pump. Picture: Ken Mears (Image: Archant)

The mayor also saw the school’s new playground, which was opened to nursery pupils at the start of term, and took part in the International Day celebrations, where parents were asked to bring in dishes from a country reflecting their heritage.

East London Advertiser: Mayor of Tower Hamlets John Biggs having a go on the water pump. Picture: Ken MearsMayor of Tower Hamlets John Biggs having a go on the water pump. Picture: Ken Mears (Image: Archant)