Bishop Debbie’s visit to Romsey CofE School
Bishop Debbie had the great pleasure of visiting Romsey Abbey CofE School last week to open its brand new ‘Psalm 23 Prayer and Wellbeing Garden’. She joined children, staff, parents and school governors to admire the space which has been inspired by the Bible Society garden, designed by Sarah Eberle, which won lots of awards at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show two years ago.
Based on that success, the Bible Society now works with local Christian groups, encouraging them to plant community gardens on the theme of Psalm 23 as ‘havens for people and wildlife, bringing people together, enabling them to experience the psalm’.
The garden at Romsey Abbey school has been designed using ideas from students and staff, and offers everyone in the busy school a place where they can take time out to be quiet and reflect. The design incorporates features from the famous ‘The Lord is my Shepherd’ scripture, including a water feature and a carved shepherd’s crook
Creating it has been a joint effort with the local community, with involvement from the Rotary Club, the local Men’s Shed who built the cabin seating area, and from Elliots builders merchant who donated the materials.
It was a joy for Bishop Debbie to cut the ribbon and give a short reflection to all gathered on the Psalm’s message, linking it to John 10:14 where Jesus says ‘I am the Good Shepherd”. She commended the school on creating such a beautiful and peaceful space where children and adults can, like the sheep who listen and know the voice of the Shepherd, know the comforting presence of God.
See all the photos on our Flickr page >>>
Bishop David’s visit to Ropley CofE School
Also last week, Bishop David was delighted to be invited to the opening of ‘Norma’s Garden’, a very special new addition to Ropley Church of England Primary School’s outdoor space. The garden was created in memory of Mrs Norma Day, a much loved Teaching Assistant and Foundation Governor at the school, to recognise her huge contribution to school life spanning over forty years.
The garden is intended to be a quiet space, away from the hustle and bustle of school life, where pupils can enjoy quiet play. It was funded by a generous grant from East Hants District Council.
Also there to open the garden was Tim Day, Norma’s husband, who officially opened the garden, as well as Sarah Vittle, the Head Teacher, Sarah Densham, Chair of Governors, and many enthusiastic children from the school. Norma had also been a church warden and had over spent 50 years serving the village of Ropley in so many ways. She had also been one of the key people involved in the rebuilding of St Peter’s Church in Ropley after it had been largely destroyed by a fire in 2014.
It was a privilege to be at the opening of the school garden and to lead the community in prayer. Norma was a woman of deep faith who gave most of her adult life to serving the community of Ropley, its school and its church, and this garden is a fitting tribute to her.
Bishop David
