Swindon schools' memorial gardens refurbished

By Barrie Hudson - 29 May 2024

Education

Children and young people, teachers, and families came together to celebrate the refurbishment of the Uplands and Brimble Hill school memorial garden.

They were delighted to be joined by Cllr Vinay Manro of Haydon Wick Parish Council, and by William Wyldbore-Smith, Chairman of the Brunel Academies Trust Board of Trustees, who gave a welcome speech.

Since 2011 the garden has become a special place to remember loved ones.  It holds an important place in people’s hearts, and families have helped the school raise £40k to transform the garden and make it a more usable and accessible space for the schools' children and young people to enjoy.

The garden is in a relaxing and peaceful setting within the school campus, and the funds raised have enabled the schools to create different zones within the garden for the children and young people to use.

These include a growing zone with wheelchair raised flower and vegetable beds, a socialising zone with wheelchair picnic benches, a learning zone with a sensory rainbow canopy for reading and group or one to one sessions and a reflective zone to help practise mindfulness.

"The children love the space and are much calmer and run around less when they are in here," said one teacher.

 Uplands School also combined the day with some military engagement activities to raise awareness for the up and coming 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings along the Normandy coast during World War II. 

They were joined by the 5 Battalion REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) located in Lyneham, who kindly assisted soldiers, who provided a variety of activities within the schools’ grounds, for all children and young people. 

Brunel Academies Trust thanked donors Arval UK, The Foyle Foundation, St. James Place Charitable Foundation, The Nineveh Charitable Trust and The Ernest Cook Trust for their help.

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