Children help to spruce up gardens

An overgrown and vandalised memorial garden in Cannock was transformed in time for a Remembrance Day ceremony.

The neglected gardens next to the play area between Park Street and Union Street in Bridgtown have been spruced up and graffiti removed from a wall.

Cannock Chase Council's street wardens teamed up with pupils from Bridgtown Primary School and representatives from Bridgtown Parish Council, Staffordshire Police, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, the Royal British Legion and members of the Territorial Army, to give the gardens a makeover.

Professional artist Neil Willis, helped pupils to produce a mural on the wall, commemorating all those who have served in conflict.

Benches have been refurbished, shrubs and greenery cut back and tidied and the whole area litter-picked and cleaned up. The adjoining play area has also being given a fresh look.

Work took three days and the completed project was unveiled at a special ceremony last week ahead of the Remembrance service on Sunday.

Cannock Chase Councillor John Jillings said: "By working with our partners on this project, we have made a real difference. I am really pleased that our street wardens have worked with members of the Territorial Army and the Royal British Legion on the makeover and big tidy-up. It is now a real asset to the whole community.

"Over the years it had been left to get overgrown and Bridgtown Parish Council decided something needed to be done, so the scheme was instigated.

"I got my hands dirty along with all our partners but best of the lot were the children from Bridgtown Primary school.

"It was heartening to see youngsters there with wheelbarrows, spades and brushes, while the artist Neil Willis did a great job with the murals."