Science: Women who planted a seed at cultural garden

THE FAMOUS Chelsea Physic Garden in London concentrates on the relationship between plants and people. But when a group of Moroccan women living in London came to visit, Dawn Sanders, its head of education and training, had an idea.

An pounds 8,500 award has been used to construct a living databank of plants indigenous to Morocco and, in the process, to build confidence and self- esteem among the older women of London's Moroccan community. The Body Shop Foundation recognised this benefit with a complementary pounds 2,500 grant.

The women turned out to be founts of knowledge on the Moroccan plants already in the garden, listing their culinary, medicinal and other domestic uses. A CD-Rom in Berber, Arabic and English has since been made.

The garden's next project is to take the botanic garden to the public, using a bicycle and trailer.