Larkholme Primary Memorial Garden
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The children of Larkholme primary schools eco club thought it would be important to create a space to remember the veterans of the community. The school had a small green area that needed improving so that a memorial garden could be built where people could pause and reflect and to ensure that important events like Armistice Day, VE day and Armed Forces Day were never forgotten.
Fleetwood Town Community Trusts project coordinator was contacted by Fleetwood town councillors armed forces champion Kuruvakadua Jimmi to see if the Fylde coast veterans could assist with this project.
Through collaboration and engagement from all parties the children’s ideas came to fruition.
The eco club were invited to the Veteran’s community garden to gain knowledge and ideas, they met veterans and were shown around the garden, and the children had some fantastic ideas from the start, lots of pictures were taken to help with this venture. They all enjoyed the visit and learnt lots of new ideas for the garden.
After a visit to Larkholme school from our veterans to see their plans and to make sure it was doable for all. Wyre council collected a works party to begin the initial groundwork of heavy timbers and stones that needed clearing. Once this was clear the veteran’s team had one week to get it completed.
Eddie Peak and Tony Codling started on the Monday morning and worked throughout the week with some of the children’s parents to transform the area. Phil Hayes made some garden furniture with pallets as this idea struck a chord with the children. White picket fence was installed; a new flagpole was sunken into the ground inside a tyre that looked lovely with flowers planted inside of it. Flowers and saplings were donated from local gardening outlets and were planted by the teacher and children.
The school was finally ready to reveal all the hard work that all the community had put into this project. On the Friday before VE Day a small opening ceremony took place, and it was officially open by Fleetwood town councillor Jane Louise Martin. A small gift of flowers was presented to the veteran’s community garden that was greatly received and has been planted within the garden.
Through this community collaboration the children of the school have asked questions, listened and have had the main input for the project, we as veterans have engaged with the younger generation, reacted to their own plans and have assisted with all aspects for the garden.
This Community engagement was pinnacle for other schools engaging with the veteran’s community to have their own memorial gardens as talks are ongoing with Manor beach to upgrade their areas from the community trust.
Lest We Forget
