Garden of honour

11:50am Friday 18th July 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

IF you want to know why a group of York youngsters is in the running for one of our Community Pride Awards, a stroll around the city’s hospital will provide you with the answer.

One of the main courtyards at York Hospital has been transformed – thanks to the efforts of a team of pupils and staff from St Peter’s School.

And hospital chiefs are so impressed that they have nominated the hardworking students in the Best Secondary School Project category of The Press’s annual celebration of community achievement.

“We’re delighted to be able to put St Peter’s School forward for the Community Pride Awards,” said Gill Greaves, the hospital’s art and design officer.

“Their work has had a great impact on one of the busiest areas of the main corridor, and they deserve praise and gratitude for their contribution to the community.

“The effect of this project on the hospital has been astronomical – from the moment the students entered the courtyard, they provided everybody walking past with a new, intriguing view.

“Last year, students from St Peter’s renovated one of the hospital’s smaller outdoor spaces and the project was such a success that when the team offered to come back this year, we chose a bigger and even more high-profile space for them to work with.”

The students were asked to concentrate on a solar system theme – and they did this by creating wall-mounted constellations and sun plaques, creating raised flower beds representing planets and planting reeds, foliage and shrubs.

“St Peter’s transformed a grey, uninspiring place into a vibrant area which is pleasing and restful to the eye,” said Gill.

“What they have accomplished is far more than making a space look beautiful again – they have created a visual oasis.”

Alison Hughes, the hospital’s director of strategy, facilities and planning, said: “The team from St Peter’s were a credit to their school.

“The staff and pupils were a delight to work with, were very professional and efficient and, at all times, sensitive to the needs of the hospital’s patients and staff.” The students were all members of a voluntary Community Action Project which St Peter’s runs every year following GCSEs.

There is still time for you to nominate the people who put a smile on your community’s face for an award – and all you have to do is fill in the coupon accompanying this article.

Send it to us together with a returnable picture of your nominee, if possible, and any other information which may be useful.

All entries must be received by July 23.

If you think a person or group deserves to be recognised for their efforts, send a nomination to: Community Pride Awards, Paula Homer, The Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN. Alternatively, you can email us at editor@thepress.co.uk