10-year project will last for future generations

Jun 30 2009 by David Whetstone, The Journal

THE blossoming of a school’s 10-year-old garden project was celebrated in artistic fashion.

Textile artists Mandy Pattullo and Fiona Rutherford worked with children at West Jesmond Primary School and local elderly people to produce an exhibition and three permanent wall hangings.

Yesterday they all gathered for an unveiling at the new school, which opened earlier this year on the site of the original one which was demolished. Hugh Smith, a former West Jesmond parent, said: “This project came out of the creation and continuing existence of the school garden which started 10 years ago.

“It is the result of the enthusiasm of year five children who have come every week for the last 10 years to work on the garden.”

Hugh and fellow former parent Jenny Wigston have overseen the transformation of an allotment at Highbury, Jesmond, into an attractive garden which is used as an educational resource. In the last months of the old school, past and present pupils of West Jesmond came together to share their memories.

Mr Smith said: “There were two aims. Firstly, to try to give a greater opportunity for older people in the local community to be involved in the garden and the school; and secondly to produce a high quality work of art for the new school.”

Current year five pupils gathered yesterday to see the work and meet the Lord Mayor, Coun Mike Cookson, who told them: “They are really very attractive. I’m glad I didn’t have to pick a winner.”