Trashed garden gets spruce-up

Cheque for £350 to combat vandalism

Firpark Secondary School’s garden – which was trashed by vandals – is set to be restored to its former glory thanks to a generous donation.

The Motherwell garden, which was commended by Jim Mccoll and featured on television’s Beechgrove Garden, is a valuable resource for the pupils.

For four years now the school, which has over 150 pupils with a wide range of additional support needs, has developed a range of vocational areas including poly tunnels and raised beds where they grow fruit and vegetables. Much of this produce is then served in the school’s bistro, which is open to the public.

The garden has been vandalised on two occasions with one of the poly tunnels being slashed and some plants ripped out.

However, staff at Bellshill Transport stepped in with a donation of £350.

Head reacher John Morley said: “It’s very upsetting for the pupils and staff who work so hard to maintain the garden.

“Since the vandalism, I’ve been overwhelmed by the response from the local community to repair this damage. We have had generous donations from Motherwell Community Group, Wishaw Multiple Sclerosis Group, local butcher Sandy Cooper, and Motherwell South Parish Church ran a series of coffee mornings and donated the profits to the school.

“This fabulous community response will ensure that the damage can be repaired and that the pupils will once more enjoy their classes.”

Elaine Macdonald from Bellshill Transport, accompanied by colleagues Shona Brown and Mary Bryan, went along to the school to see the garden and present the cheque.

She said: “One of the mechanics at the depot now works as an ASN assistant at Firpark and told us about the vandalism.

“We know how important the garden is to the school and its pupils.

“It was a pleasure to present the cheque to some of the pupils and I hope the money will help restore the garden to its former glory.”

Pictured left to right are John Morley, Elaine Macdonald, and ASN assistant Billy Gray, with pupils Cameron Docherty and Reece Cooper. horticulture