New garden for St Albans primary school

WHAT was once a derelict pond is now a place for dancing, singing and learning, thanks to the efforts of a St Albans primary school.

Oakwood Primary School collaborated with Groundwork Hertfordshire, a local environmental charity, to reclaim the overgrown land and transform it into a learning and theatre area, named by the pupils as ‘The Brambles’.

Friday saw the official opening, attended by Cllr Annie Brewster, Mayor of St Albans, pupils and parents, with performances from students commemorating the occasion.

Originally cleared by a dozen Dads in April 2011, work on the land and design of the area was carried out by members of The Green Team, a project funded by Groundwork Hertfordshire.

As part of the project, eight young and unemployed people who were out of education, worked on the grounds to provide them with some valuable work experience to help make them more employable.

Phillip Cowen, designer and project manager, said: “The PTA and several parents have worked really hard over two years to turn a previously overgrown and dangerous space into a fabulous, flexible outdoor classroom and performance area.

“It will be a valuable space for years to come.”