After months of work, a pre-school on Portland has officially re-opened its refurbished garden with the help of a special guest.

Portland Mayor Carralyn Parkes joined the children and staff of Jumping Beans Pre-School in Weston to cut the ribbon and officially open the upper section of the garden following a £2,000 refurbishment.

The garden is split up into an upper and a lower section. The upper section was a 'messy' play area but over time it had deteriorated until it was no longer safe for the children. Among other things, the fence needed work and brambles were threatening to invade.

It has been closed since the summer, but thanks to fundraising efforts by Jumping Beans - which is a charity - and generous donations, the children can finally enjoy playing in the entire garden again.

Dorset Echo: Prior to refurbishmentPrior to refurbishment (Image: Jumping Beans Preschool Portland)

Dorset Echo: How the garden looks nowHow the garden looks now (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

Manager Catherine Hallett said: "It was originally the 'mess' area and over time it spread everywhere. We tried to do the work ourselves but it was too much. It was closed since before the summer holidays. Because of how long it was closed some of the kids have never been up there.

"We have decided now it is going to be our calm area. It is a massive improvement. Just seeing the kids out there so happy they have some space to explore, they have all loved having that area."

The garden was officially opened with the cutting of a ribbon by mayor Carralyn Parkes who said: "I have seen the photographs of what this area looked like before this and it is a massive transformation.

"So much work from so many people who have done wonderful things to make this happen, it is a much more usable space than before."

The Jumping Beans' next plan for its garden is to re-do the astro turf at the bottom of the garden to make it softer and safer, which will also require fundraising.

Dorset Echo: The new garden includes a teepee for the kids to play inThe new garden includes a teepee for the kids to play in (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

Jumping Beans wishes to thank: 

  • Alan Darbyshire - A2Z Landscapes
  • Adam Vibert
  • Portland Stonemasons, most recently John Hallett - Quintus Lodge 8118
  • Catherine Bennett
  • Nat, the manager at Fortuneswell
  • Co-op Fortuneswell and Easton.
  • Portland Skips
  • Doonans donated a one-tonne bag of sand.
  • The previous and current chairpersons of the committee; Julie Woodcock, Rachel Holloway