Reception pupils at The Bay CE Primary School in Sandown have welcomed a new handmade wooden pirate ship into their playground, thanks to the hard work of a local landscaping company.
Mrs Nicola Taylor, reception class teacher and early years lead, originally contacted Dixcey Landscapes about some other work that was needed in the reception class playground
After a little chat about what the school wanted, Richard Dixcey – director of Dixcey Landscapes – reached out to Jon Hayward of Jewson asking him if he would donate the materials instead of the school having to pay for them.
With Jon onside and happy to help, Richard decided to build the wooden structure on his own in the Dixcey yard, before it was transported – with the help of 7 other men – to the school site on Winchester Park Road.
It took Richard, who has decades of experience, just 5 days to put together despite the fact he had surgery on a foot problem in the same week.
The mega ship was unveiled yesterday (Tuesday) with the help of several reception students who gave Mr Dixcey and the Jewson team massive thank you cards.
Nicola Taylor, Early Years Lead and The Bay CE School, said:
“I’m overwhelmed by the generosity of Richard and the team at Jewsons, it’s an amazing structure.
“The children loved playing on it yesterday and took a real interest when watching Mr Dixcey and around 7 others put the giant boat together. It will enhance the learning we are able to offer the children in terms of things like phonics, maths and so on. We’re so grateful”
Richard Dixcey, Director and Owner of Dixcey Landscapes Ltd, has said:
“Originally I was contacted by the school who wanted a quote for some work that they wanted to do in the playground, they showed me this boat that they were looking into as well. I had a little chat with Jon and the team at Jewson and they kindly donated the materials. Once I had it all, I spent 5 days over Christmas putting it together.
“I wanted to give back to the community, and seeing all of the children playing here today, has made it all worth while.”
When the weather dries out, the boat will be coated in a protective varnish that will ensure it becomes a feature of the playground for decades to come.
