A TIDWORTH school marked Armistice Day this year by opening its new Remembrance Garden.

This year, the moment of silence at Zouch Academy on Wavell Road, Tidworth, was led by two ex-servicemen with close ties to the school: Rick Webb and Jordan Wylie.

Rick is a parent and a former staff member, having been the school’s PE coach until 2020.

Jordan is also a close friend of the school having led many fundraising projects with Zouch over the past three years to support his adventures around the world raising money to open a school in Africa.

The guests explained the importance of Remembrance to the children, inviting them to reflect on what they would like to think about in silence and prayer.

After the silence, Rick and Jordan were invited to open the new Remembrance Garden. As The Last Post played, the ribbon was cu.

Led by teaching assistants Mrs Naylor and Mrs Clark, twenty Year 5 and 6 children set about transforming the courtyard space.

Before the fun jobs of painting, planting and decorating could begin, there was lots of hard graft to be done and in all weathers.The space needed trimming, sweeping, and scrubbing before the murals could be painted, the flowers planted, the decorations made and the artwork installed.

With just a few days to go until the opening, poppies were painted on windows, lettering was drawn on the walls, and decorations were hung from trees.

Principal Mrs Johnson said: “I am so proud of the hard work that has gone into the transformation of this area of our school.

“Thank you to Mrs Naylor and Mrs Clark for leading the project and to Mr Morris for his woodwork skills.

“These adults and children have volunteered in their own time, to make this a special place. I know that the Remembrance Garden will give all of you a space for reflection and quiet time.”