An application to Department for Infrastructure Living Places and Spaces Fund was submitted by a subgroup of the PTA in December 2021.  We were informed we had been granted £4,393 in March 2022. 

The Project Implementation Group includes parents and staff from St Bernard's Primary school, along with representatives from St Bernard's Preschool education centre, 110^th  St. Bernadette's Scouts and St Bernadette's Parish.

The first exciting step began on Wednesday 13 April with the construction of the Willow Tunnel and Dome. 

The project outline is as follows:

Spring 2022

• Construction of a willow dome and willow tunnel in the green areas of school;
• Installation of Swift box and camera, connection to smart tv;
• Planting of heritage apple trees around the school site;
• Construction of four large planters with railway sleepers. Planting decision to made by partners and will include water butts near planters;
• Clearing and preparing an area for a Wild meadow.

Autumn 2022

• Sow wild meadow;
• Plant native hedging along school perimeter fence;
• Tidy up current wildlife garden, clear out and extend current pond, and addition of pond dipping platform;
• All classes will be encouraged to use the wildlife garden as an outdoor learning space. 

The additional funding application for the creation of an outdoor classroom and bike shed was unsuccessful.

There will be regular calls for volunteers - keep an eye on webpage, Facebook and class WhatsApp groups.  

Funding grant was on a very tight budget with full costings required for each element.  Therefore, the help of parents and friends is vital.

If anyone would like any further information please contact Maeve 07773-327-822.

Read more about other aspects of Greenspace Bernie Project:

• Project Overview
• Project Planning Walk Through
• Willow Tunnel and Dome
• Ground Force - building the planters
• Pond Life - creating the pond in wild garden area
• Planting native hedge