Today, our team of service family students and Mrs McGaffin (our Forces Liaison Officer) were able to proudly show off the fruits of their efforts with the official opening of our newly developed Memorial Garden.
With the help of Storey homes, Landmarc (at Spadeadam), the Woodland Trust, Cumbria Building Supplies, Mr McGaffin, Mr and Mrs Chaganis, Barbara Vaughan, The Rotary Club, the Royal Marine Society, and some of our wonderful students with SEN, they have transformed a forgotten corner of our grounds into a place to enjoy some quiet contemplation and reflection.
We were very grateful to be joined by guests from the Armed Forces and some of those who had sponsored the new planting in memory of loved ones.
After the opening ceremony and planting of a tree, our guests gathered for refreshments and a chat with students about their project.
Mrs McGaffin, the driving force of the project, said “I am incredibly proud of the service students at WHS. They have worked hard, learned the importance of teamwork, and demonstrated a strong sense of unity. Throughout this project, they have shown themselves to be respectful, resilient, and willing to step outside their comfort zones—especially when engaging so confidently with our guests today.
“Amelie and Katherine read beautifully, delivering their words with clarity and confidence. The boys played their part admirably, embodying the very best of themselves. The garden, which they designed and brought to life, stands as a testament to their dedication and creativity, and it is now a space for everyone to enjoy.
“I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to all those who have supported the garden project and guided the students through every step of the journey. Your contributions have made this achievement possible.”
Below is the poem (penned by Mrs McGaffin) that a services student read out at the opening:
This Garden We Grow
By one of us, for all of us
It started as a place of loss,
A quiet mark, a heavy cost.
But time moves on—and so do we—
And now it holds new energy.
We brought it back with muddy hands,
With borrowed tools and simple plans.
We cleared the weeds, we cleared our minds,
And found new roots for us to find.
This isn’t just a place of stone,
It’s where we learn we’re not alone.
For those who move from base to base,
It gives us more than just a place.
It’s space to sit, to breathe, to talk,
To take a slower kind of walk.
A quiet break when life feels fast,
A way to feel like we can last.
We built it not just for today,
But for the ones who’ll find their way—
Who’ll need a seat, a laugh, a pause,
A gentle break without applause.
Here, friendships bloom without a sound.
Here, you don’t have to stand your ground.
Here, you can think or just be still—
The garden listens; that’s its will.
And though it started out in grief,
It now gives hope, and quiet relief.
We grew this space from what was gone—
So future voices can grow strong.
