House builders' surprise for Torquay school children

Housebuilders Taylor Wimpey have delivered a surprise for a Torquay primary school.

They teamed up with their contractors and suppliers to breathe new life into a pond in the grounds of Watcombe School.

Pupils started the new term with the surprise after the housebuilder completed a full refurbishment of the once-overgrown outdoor space over the summer holidays. 

Alongside partners Steve Hoskins Construction, Martins Landscaping, ARC Metalcraft and Wildlife World, Taylor Wimpey staff cleared the area, installed a pond and surrounding landscaping, put up bird boxes and bug hotels and installed a new steel fence.

Among those at Taylor Wimpey Exeter to offer their time and expertise were Options Coordinator Aisling Cassidy, who led the project, Site Manager Owen Thomas, who made new benches, Apprentice Manager Emma Hopkins, who painted them, and Production Administrator Scarlett Frewin who designed the pond. 

Customer Service Coordinator Sophie Sleeman made the most of family connections by providing tree stumps from her father’s farm.

The area was officially unveiled to pupils this month and is now being used for a variety of nature-based lessons.

Watcombe headteacher Tim Nield, said: “The pupils and staff at Watcombe are and will remain extremely grateful to the volunteers and support from Taylor Wimpey for essentially turning an eyesore into a tranquil and calm learning space.”

Taylor Wimpey initially partnered with the school through Magic Breakfast, a charity that provides free, nutritious breakfasts to school children facing morning hunger, and has made a contribution of £80,000 to provide over 285,714 breakfasts for pupils in England and Scotland during the school term of September 2023 to September 2024.

Aisling Cassidy, Options Coordinator at Taylor Wimpey, was also the main contact with Magic Breakfast. She said: “When we visited the school with Magic Breakfast we thought we could really help to transform the pond area through the charity’s programme, Magic Makeovers. We had fantastic support from our staff, contractors and suppliers, who all worked together to create something really special for the pupils.”