Derby College Answers Call For Memorial Garden Restoration

Staff and students at Derby College have helped restore the memorial garden at The 3aaa County Ground, dedicated to loyal supporters of Derbyshire County Cricket Club.

They have revitalised the picturesque garden located on the boundary edge as part of the Employer Academy partnership between Derby College and Cricket Derbyshire, which provides work experience opportunities for Construction and Hospitality students and coaching for Sport students.

Derby College’s Assistant Director Employer Partnerships, Debbie Keegan, said: “Cricket Derbyshire are so supportive of our students across the College that we were keen to help them in this project and are very pleased with the collective work of staff and students.”

The work was welcomed by the family of Colin Gardner, who was the former Derbyshire County Cricket Club supporters’ club chairman.  He died in 2013 at the age of 75 and his ashes were sprinkled in the garden.

Mr Gardner’s widow, Sylvia said: “Colin loved cricket and worked very hard for the club including running the book shop here for many years. 

“Colin and the supporters’ club raised the money to set up the memorial garden originally so it’s lovely to see it looking beautiful again.”

Cricket Derbyshire Venue Operations Manager, Jamie Guthrie concluded: “We are working closely with Derby College to provide students with real-world experiences at our busy 365-day-a-year sports, conference and events venue.

“The students and staff did an excellent job restoring our memorial garden and they will continue to provide valuable assistance for a range of maintenance tasks across the venue.”

Staff and students at Derby College have helped restore the memorial garden at The 3aaa County Ground, dedicated to loyal supporters of Derbyshire County Cricket Club.

They have revitalised the picturesque garden located on the boundary edge as part of the Employer Academy partnership between Derby College and Cricket Derbyshire, which provides work experience opportunities for Construction and Hospitality students and coaching for Sport students.

Derby College’s Assistant Director Employer Partnerships, Debbie Keegan, said: “Cricket Derbyshire are so supportive of our students across the College that we were keen to help them in this project and are very pleased with the collective work of staff and students.”

The work was welcomed by the family of Colin Gardner, who was the former Derbyshire County Cricket Club supporters’ club chairman.  He died in 2013 at the age of 75 and his ashes were sprinkled in the garden.

Mr Gardner’s widow, Sylvia said: “Colin loved cricket and worked very hard for the club including running the book shop here for many years. 

“Colin and the supporters’ club raised the money to set up the memorial garden originally so it’s lovely to see it looking beautiful again.”

Cricket Derbyshire Venue Operations Manager, Jamie Guthrie concluded: “We are working closely with Derby College to provide students with real-world experiences at our busy 365-day-a-year sports, conference and events venue.

“The students and staff did an excellent job restoring our memorial garden and they will continue to provide valuable assistance for a range of maintenance tasks across the venue.”

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