NIGEL Clough was on hand to represent Burton Albion at the official opening of a new community facility at River View Primary and Nursery School.
The Brewers manager (and his dog Bobbie) were given a tour of the new garden area and the refurbished Damson Bungalow by pupils at the school ahead of the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The school, in Stapenhill, partners with Burton Albion Community Trust and has a close working relationship.
Head teacher Mandy Whitehouse said: “The bungalow will have a library which will be used by the children here and also for community projects and the YESS counselling service from Uttoxeter will be using it as a hub so they can bring the service to Burton.
“There is also a sensory room which our children who are having a difficult day can use as a break-out room.
“The bungalow will be a great asset to the children, and we couldn’t have done the garden without the efforts of the NCS and the links with Burton Albion Community Trust and hopefully we will be able to now raise lots of money to fill the library with books.
“We wanted it to be an asset to the community as well as the school and hopefully we will be able to do things like parent workshops here as well after the school is closed.
“We have worked closely with BACT in the five years I have been here at River View and they were very quick to help us with the NCS project which is why the garden is in such good shape as the funding meant we wouldn’t have otherwise been able to afford that.”
Nigel Clough said: “It was great to be able to see first-hand this great new facility for the school and the wider community. It was a pleasure to meet the staff, pupils and parents and I wish them every success with their plans for the future.”
Matt Hancock, BACT Head of Community, said: “River View was one of the first schools we partnered with and we have always had a close relationship. We were delighted to be able to support this brilliant project.”