Generous gifts bring gardening joy to UCLan’s Pre-School Centre

4 July 2017

Conlon Construction donates resources for little green fingers

Youngsters at the University of Central Lancashire’s (UCLan) Pre-School Centre are learning the joys of gardening thanks to a donation of new equipment by Conlon Construction.

The construction company, which is building the University’s new £8.1 million social spaces, has provided the centre with indoor and outdoor equipment plus the means to create new learning spaces.

Some of the new items include gardens made from rubber tyres, trowels, forks, spades, gardening gloves and plant pots.

"We recently had our OFSTED inspection, and were awarded the highest grade of Outstanding in all areas; we would like to say that the equipment helped us achieve this."

Saskia Gregory, Officer in Charge at the UCLan Pre-School Centre, said: “We are grateful for the generosity. The resources are providing the children with endless opportunities. We recently had our OFSTED inspection, and were awarded the highest grade of Outstanding in all areas; we would like to say that the equipment helped us achieve this. The support from Conlon has been amazing.”

After the donation the children presented Conlon Construction with a handmade thank you card and a letter.

Workers from Conlon Construction have formed a close bond with the youngsters whilst working on the new student centres as one is positioned opposite the pre-school. Recently a group of children enjoyed a tour around the building site, including seeing the diggers up close and in action.

Michael Conlon, Chairman at Conlon Construction, said: “As a member of the Considerate Constructors scheme, we are always looking for ways to add real value to the communities in which we operate. Education is one of our key sectors and as we’ve worked on a number of schools, we know how much it means to kids to have not only inspirational surroundings but equipment that unleashes their imagination. It was great to make the donation in line with our social spaces project and quite moving to receive the handmade thank you card.”