by Alan Quick

THE Headteacher at Sandford School says the school has been “transformed” thanks to the generosity of volunteers from the community, parents, grandparents, staff - and by donations of materials and equipment.

On Saturday, March 24, up to 100 volunteers painted, weeded, cleared bracken, built fences, planted hedges, grass strimmed and cut, sanded down and painted wooden buildings, built raised beds for gardening and carried out all manner of duties.

The very next day, more than 60 volunteers carried on the good works begun the day before.

Lois Briard described the SchoolForce Weekend as “amazing, humbling, overwhelming and heartening”.

She thanked “incredibly generous benefactors”, mainly local businesses, which pledged more than £5,000 worth of materials such as wood, chippings, fencing, garden furniture, gates and other items.

Lois added: “This amount of pledged items was simply awesome and we are indebted to these companies and individuals who have been so generous.

“She continued: “Without the huge army of volunteers, the weekend would not have been possible and with more than 700 hours of pledged time we were able to make a real difference to the school.

“What has happened will really enrich our learning experience at the school.”

The huge community effort resulted in the creation of a new outdoor classroom area near what was formerly an overgrown and lost pond.

Local resident and school governor, Matt Theedom, was project manager for the SchoolForce Weekend and he was thanked by Lois for his hard work on the project.

He said that most of the outdoor spaces had been rejuvenated and quiet areas had been created.

He thanked all those who helped or donated towards the project.

Matt said that the skills of many tradespeople came in particularly handy for some of the more difficult and challenging tasks.

Lois said that a willow structure was replaced, a willow tunnel rejuvenated, new benches hand-made and donated, office furniture donated, just some of the works completed.

Lois thanked business staff who came to help and said that the whole site had been freshened up.

She added that all the children at the primary school were taken on a tour of the school when they returned after the weekend which saw their school transformed.