
Ground
Force met Changing Rooms and the Wombles as work began on an ambitious
makeover at Gloucester's Central Technology College as part of the
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Voices project.
And
on Friday May 15 the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s Director General came long to see what
had been done so far.
He
met college staff and students and took a tour of the quad, where
he took a particular interest in the new giant chessboard - and
even advised the boys playing the game on their next move!
Staff
and boys explained about the work so far and praised the positive
effect that the Voices project is having at the school.
See more pictures of Greg Dyke at Central in our photo gallery
Voices
producer Simon Williams explained to Mr Dyke how the plan
was to give what was a sad-looking open space in the centre of the
school a massive makeover - transforming it into a performance space,
outdoor classroom and giant games area.
Mr
Dyke said he was impressed by the change that had been achieved
in such a short time.
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Pupils
get to work |
On
Friday May 9 our task force went into action - and worked so hard
that by the end of the day the spruced-up quad was looking like
a different place.
Staff,
parents and pupils - including Central's head Enid Cole - set to
with spades, shovels, secateurs, brooms and rubbish bags to start
the landscaping work.
Fifteen
volunteers from the community action team at Cheltenham & Gloucester
in nearby Barnwood provided much-needed muscle to get a huge amount
of work completed in just one day.
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½
Radio Gloucestershire's John Rockley presented his lunchtime show
from the quad to report on progress to listeners who had generously
donated timber and shrubs.
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Before
and after: from rubbish-strewn overgrowth to new flower beds
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In
stage one the Quad Force team:
- Cleaned
the area of rubbish and overgrowth
- Installed
new seating
- Dug
new flower beds
- Made
a start on seating to provide an amphitheatre-style performance
space
- Laid
paving for a giant chessboard
Voices
of Gloucester producer Simon Williams said at the end of the day:
"We were amazed at how much of a change everybody managed to
achieve in such a short time.
"There
is still lots to hard work to be done to transform this open space
into a really exciting area, but we have made a fantastic start
and everybody involved was absolutely delighted by the progress
we made."
If
you would like to help out with the next stages of the Quad Force
project call the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio Gloucestershire Action Desk on 01452
331133 or email simon.williams01@bbc.co.uk
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Greg
Dyke with college staff and Voices producer Simon Williams
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