RCT Council’s Cabinet Member for Education has visited Bodringallt Primary School to take part in its community garden clear-up, which has helped rectify vandalism damage thanks to the excellent effort of a team of volunteers.
Councillor Rhys Lewis took part in the event at the school in Ystrad Rhondda on Wednesday, February 15. The school has suffered repeated damage to its garden, including a fire during the Christmas break. The school has received fantastic support from the local community since the incident, including offers to help clear the damage as well as cash donations towards the repairs.
Wednesday’s group of volunteers included staff and pupils from Bodringallt Primary School, helpers from Ysgol Hen Felin and members of the wider community. The group braved the changeable weather, and their efforts have vastly improved the appearance of the outdoor area at the school.
Councillor Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Youth Participation and the Welsh Language, said: “Thank you to Bodringallt Primary School for inviting me to take part in the community event on Wednesday, to help clear their much-loved garden area. It was great to meet all of the helpers from the school, young and old, and it was very clear to see how much the school garden means to everyone.
“Well done to all of the volunteers involved, including those staff and pupils from Ysgol Hen Felin who were also able to give up their time to help on the day. Our schools are such important places at the heart of their local areas, and the generous support received from the public since January’s incident has really highlighted a sense of community togetherness in action.”
Sion Howells, Headteacher of Bodringallt Primary School, also spoke about the community’s response since the incident. He added: “People from near and far have contacted us in their hundreds, sending well wishes, cash donations and offering to come to Bodringallt Primary School to help. We have been so touched and humbled by these gestures.
“I would like to express a big thank you to everyone who supported us and helped in our School Garden Community Day, including a thank you to our friends at Ysgol Hen Felin for two lovely, planted flower boxes. Also, thanks to our wonderful Senedd pupils, our parents, Councillor Lewis, Local Authority officers, the RCT Streetcare Team, South Wales Fire, Set Recruitment, the RCT Road Safety Team, and our Chair of Governors for the Welsh cakes too!
“We are blessed to have so much support now, and dedicated support for the future. There will be further Garden Community Days to come, as Wednesday was such a uniting and successful day.”
Following the recent vandalism incidents at the school, the Council is installing an upgraded CCTV system that monitors the school’s garden area, as well as installing a more robust secure perimeter fencing using funding from the Welsh Government’s Community Focused Schools Grant.
