Ten-year-olds blow out the candles for Eden’s big birthday

March 17, 2011

Eden broke out the cake and candles today (March 17) as a party of children helped the project mark its first decade.

The pupils from Ladock Primary School near Truro, Cornwall, and Withycombe Raleigh Primary School in Exmouth, Devon, were on an educational visit when they were delighted by the surprise party in the Mediterranean Biome.

After enjoying a story-telling session in the Citrus Grove, the children, some of whom were born around the same time as Eden opened, blew out the candles of a three-tiered cake as they wished the project a happy 10th birthday.

Gaynor Coley, Eden’s managing director, said: “It's fantastic to have children from Cornwall and Devon celebrating our 10th birthday with us.

"Our stories are about optimism and it is encouraging young children that will help us build a better future for us all."

Ten-year-old Edward Kelland was born two days before Eden opened. He said: "My favourite thing about Eden is the hot rainforest. Happy birthday to Eden!"

Other events planned at Eden today were a commemorative planting of a Brazil nut tree by the project’s scientific director, Sir Ghillean Prance, and a surprise event in the Rainforest Biome.

Since 2001 Eden has welcomed 12.8 million visitors and helped generate £1.1 billion for the local economy.

For more information on Eden's 10th birthday, go to: http://www.edenproject.com/whats-it-all-about/10th-birthday.php