St Martin's celebrates with Jubilee Garden (From Salisbury Journal)

St Martin's celebrates with Jubilee Garden

11:30am Tuesday 13th November 2012 in News By Elizabeth Kemble

ST Martin’s Primary School has celebrated both 60 years of being in Shady Bower, Salisbury and the Queen’s 60 years on the throne by developing a new Diamond Jubilee garden.

The garden contains a story-telling area, planters and an outdoor stage where pupils can practice drama.

During the formal opening on Friday, the stage was dedicated in the memory of Dene Turner in recognition of his services to the school as both a governor and parent.

Mr Turner, who was facilities manager at Salisbury Cathedral, was also the leader of the 8th Salisbury Scout Group as well as the assistant district commissioner for Cub Scouts. He died earlier this year at the age of 51.

Headteacher Vanessa Pile said: “We are very excited about the garden because not only does it provide a quiet area for the children at playtimes, somewhere where they can sit, talk and reflect, but it also provides a stage area where they can exercise their artistic talents. “Dene was very passionate about drama and the arts and the development of children, and this dedication is a fitting tribute to him.”

St Martin’s is Salisbury's oldest state school, originally opening on March 4, 1811, and celebrated its bicentenary last year.

To coincide with the opening of the garden, the 60th anniversary of the school buildings and Queen's Diamond Jubilee, the school also held a history week, with pupils studying what life was like in the 1950s and dressing in clothes depicting styles from the era.