Pinner Wood pupils take action to spruce up local garden

Pupils at Pinner Wood School rolled up their sleeves and got into action to clean up a neighbouring garden this week. 

The pupils, who are in years three, four and five, tackled the garden surrounding an old caretaker's house, which faces onto Latimer Gardens . Over time it had fallen into a state of disrepair, so Harrow Council and local Safer Neighbourhood police officers decided to call a Day of Action to blitz the area.

The children got stuck in, clearing away fallen fruit and also picked ripe apples to donate to parents' association The Friends of Pinner Wood, which will turn them into cakes and crumbles and sell them to raise money for the school.  

Offenders on supervised Community Payback schemes did the heavier work and spent the day clearing weeds and cutting down overgrown bushes, and local residents can now enjoy a much more pleasant walk past the school grounds.  

The house is empty and boarded up but was approved for disposal by the council at a meeting earlier this month. It is due to go to auction at the end of October, with the money raised being pumped back into the public purse.  

Portfolio holder for environment and community safety at Harrow Council, Councillor Phillip O'Dell, said: "This was an example of how the council is working in partnership with the police and probation service to keep our communities clean and green.

"As a council we face difficult financial times over the coming years, so these kinds of initiatives that encourage local people to take pride and make a positive difference to their neighbourhoods will be hugely important."  

"It was great to see the children getting stuck in and taking pride in their local area. It's going to really improve the appearance of the garden, and I'm sure the school's neighbours will appreciate their efforts."