Wokingham

Wokingham Borough Council and the John Lewis Partnership are continuing to work together to create exciting play areas at schools in the borough. And on Thursday (July 19) they were regenerating a garden at Keephatch Primary School in Wokingham.

Back in November 2006, the John Lewis Partnership provided a team of volunteers from their ‘Time Bank’ team to create a fenced garden area at Shinfield St Mary’s Primary School. The ‘Time Bank’ is a company scheme that allows employees to get involved with voluntary projects during work time, with the support of the company. Having read about this project in their staff newsletter, a team from Waitrose, who are part of the John Lewis Partnership, contacted Wokingham council’s play strategy advisor to see if there were any projects they could get involved with.

And as a result, some 10 employees from Waitrose head office spent the day working hard to regenerate the school’s garden as part of the council’s better places to play project. Waitrose has donated over 40 plants and planted them to create a habitat attracting wildlife including butterflies and bees. This will greatly enhance the school’s outdoor learning. Waitrose also donated garden materials such as composters.

Employees from Waitrose head office tidied up the school’s pagoda creating an area for the children to play and socialise. Waitrose Wokingham also donated a children’s bench made out of recycled plastic bags allowing pupils to enjoy storytime sessions in the garden.

Mike English, Waitrose systems at Waitrose (Bracknell), said: “It is a privilege for us at Waitrose to be involved in helping to improve the pagoda and surrounding area used by the children at Keephatch Primary School. We are all excited about being here and really hope that the children will be able to enjoy the area when they return from their holiday in September.

“I’d like to thank the headteacher Angela Young and Brian Matthews from the council for allowing us to be involved. I’d also like to thank Waitrose Wokingham for the donation of a bench. Lastly, I’d like to thank my team from Waitrose systems who worked hard to complete the project and especially to team member Jo Goddard, who has been involved with organising the day.”

Brian Matthews, Wokingham council’s play strategy advisor, said: “The garden and surrounding play area have been enhanced considerably thanks to Waitrose and what better way for children to learn more about wildlife than with their very own garden and flowerbed.

“The council is delighted to be working in partnership with John Lewis on the better places to play project. It has allowed some of our schools to make improvements to their play areas and I am very grateful, as our schools are, to their commitment. Children play on average seven and a half hours a week in the playground so it is great to see projects like these getting off the ground and making a real difference.”

Wokingham Borough Council