There was a real treat waiting for the students and staff at Severndale Specialist School in Shrewsbury when they returned to school after the long summer holidays.
The project the school had been working on, together with Mike Russell from Designs with Nature and sponsor Lanyon Bowdler, had finally found its way back to the Monkmoor Campus – converting a stark concreted area into a colourful seaside experience.
Lanyon Bowdler’s senior partner Peter Flint joined school head Chris Davies, Garry Dean and Mike Russell, on a gloriously sunny day to officially hand the garden over. Speaking on behalf of the sponsors Peter said “Seeing the smiles on the faces of the children and staff confirms what a tremendously worthwhile project this has been.”
Head teacher Chris Davies commented “Everyone has had such positive things to say about the seaside garden. Some were lucky enough to see it at the Shrewsbury Flower Show, but for those who didn’t it is now here for all to enjoy. It has taken effort from a great number of people to produce this unique garden, and on behalf of the school I would like to particularly thank Lanyon Bowdler, the talented garden designer Mike Russell and the Friends of the School who have kindly help fund the project.”
The garden, which boasts a clinker boat complete with authentic sail and sea worn timber groynes from the beach at Borth, provides space for the students to build sandcastles, grow plants and add colourful artistic pieces to an interactive felt backdrop in the bespoke surf shack
