Derby College Lays Foundations For Special Garden At Local School

Horticulture students at Derby College’s Broomfield Hall campus have designed and created the outline of a Remembrance and Hope Garden being built at St John Houghton Catholic Voluntary Academy in Kirk Hallam

The students have designed the three-part garden which will now be completed by pupils at the school ahead of the official unveiling and mass there on July 10 as part of the school’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

The garden will incorporate a faith section – depicted by large stones; hope with a water feature; and love - planted by a host of red flowers. Block paved paths will lead to a tree where messages and names of staff, pupils and governors at the school who have now passed away will be hung.

Derby College Horticulture lecturer Mike Baldwin has led the project. He said: “Our students have been instrumental in designing and creating the outline and paving for the new garden to make it ready for pupils at St John Houghton to complete the planting and landscaping

“Work experience is a vital part of our course and we were keen to support their School in this project.

“Projects such as these provide a real benefit to local communities. They also enable students to develop their design, planning and practical capabilities to boost their CVs and increase their employability skills in the horticulture industry.

“There are widespread job opportunities in the horticulture industry and not enough young people coming into the area so projects like these will give our students the edge as they look for their foothold on the career ladder.”

St John Houghton Deputy Head Sue Doczyminska added: “The students at Derby College have done an amazing job and we are looking forward to our own pupils now completing the garden as part of two mission days at the school where young people will be involved in a wide range of activities.

“The Remembrance and Hope Garden will be a wonderful and tranquil place for our staff and students to reflect on their faith and remember their own loved ones who have passed away.”

ends

Sarah Jenkin-Jones, Derby College PR Officer, Tel: 07951 945665; sarah.jenkin-jones@derby-college.ac.uk

Picture shows, from left: Derby College Horticulture lecturer Mike Baldwin with students Ben Hudson (18), Holly Robinson (23) and Begona Blanco Zaragosa (40).

Back to news