A TRANQUIL Peace Garden has been officially unveiled at St Anne’s Lydgate Primary School in a special ceremony.
Headmistress Jane Fraser was joined by all 203 pupils, staff and guests, including the Mayor of Oldham Ateeque Ur-Rehman and Mayoress Yasmin Toor, for the event.
After music from the school’s Rock Band, the Mayor cut the shiny red ribbon to officially declare the new space open, followed by music from Saddleworth School Brass Ensemble.
Then the whole school joined together to perform a song they had rehearsed about peace, love and joy to mark the opening.
The Peace Garden was designed by the pupils, staff and volunteers and features a friendship area, wildflowers, reading area and mosaic dove feature.
It offers a calm and tranquil place of reflection as well as a multi-sensory and educational environment.
Headmistress Ms Fraser said: “We’re absolutely thrilled. The plans the children drew were used and their ideas have become a reality.
“It is quiet space for the children who find the playground a noisy and busy place.”
The £15,000 project was made possible thanks to a £4,700 Awards for All Grant from the National Lottery along with a donation from Love Lydgate and Greenfield and Grasscroft Residents Association of £1,000 and £750 from Saddleworth councillors.
The fundraising committee helped secured the remainder of the funds from kind-hearted local businesses, including donations of building and landscaping materials.
Committee member Tom Adamson said: “All the sponsors have been fantastic in helping to make this happen and I think the garden is absolutely fantastic.
“It’s wonderful to be able to hand it over to the pupils now for them to look after.”
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