Eco celebrations for Duxford pupils

CHILDREN at Duxford Community Primary School have an impressive new learning resource, installed as part of the school’s 50th anniversary.

To mark the milestone in its history the school has built a multi-purpose garden to give the children opportunities to grow their own fruit and vegetables, and learn more about the environment. The garden has many exciting features including a maze seating area, jungle, solar water feature, allotment beds and a poly-tunnel.

The project was funded by the PTA, an �8000 grant from Awards for All and community donations. Although it was designed and built by Duxford-based Robert Smit Hortiservices, the project was very much community focused, with family, staff and governors mucking in to help with planting.

Headteacher Ann Gardner said “This garden will make a real difference to the children, providing them with the chance to grow their own food and learn about nature, as well as offering an exciting space to fire their imaginations.

“It is wonderful that the school community has worked so hard to bring these ideas to life, creating a living space that will last for the next 50 years.”

The school, which opened in 1960, held other activities last week such as playing games from the 1950s, sharing a whole-school picnic and signing ‘happy birthday’ to the school, with a huge garden cake.

They also held an open day and tour for visitors, showing a display by staff and children of the last 50 years.

The celebrations culminated with the garden being officially opened at a 50th anniversary fete on Saturday, where the school welcomed back ex staff, governors and pupils to share in the festivities.