Having attended Ashington C of E School between the ages of five and ten and in that time witnessing the opening of the renowned Ashington School Prayer garden, I was pleased to hear that the project was being re-imagined with the intention of re-focusing on a place where students could pray and reflect.

The new lease of life given to the garden came courtesy of three Chichester college teacher training students- Lauren, Jessica and Charlotte. Together, the three inspired girls took ideas from the children about what they would best like and in a matter of months transformed the garden with the help of the school church governors. The new features include a large cross, wind chimes, new flowers and plants and passages of bible quotes inscribed on wooden plaques for the children to read and reflect upon.

A grand opening was held on the 26th April, where a Year Two pupil was selected to cut the ribbon. The ceremony was attended by the students, along with both former and current governors of the school, local church members and two former head teachers. The congregation then partook in a thanksgiving service in the spring sun which was enjoyed by everybody involved.

Due to the school’s Christian values and close relationship with the local Ashington Parish church, donations were received from the church to fund the project and these, along with contributions from other generous benefactors allowed the Chichester students to provide the children with exactly what they wanted, after a design competition was held to provide ideas for the project.

Many thanks to everyone involved in the project, especially the Chichester students and generous donators for providing such a valuable resource for the schoolchildren.