Drever family pride as they officially open Irene’s school memorial garden

“It is with great pride that we are here today. Pride on behalf of ourselves as a family and representing the pride that Mrs Drever (Irene) would have in you all for coming up with such a kind and thoughtful gesture in her memory”.

 

Those were the heartfelt sentiments from Irene’s husband, Andrew, daughters, Ingrid and Heather, son-in-law Matthew and grandbairns, Thomas, 4, and Leila, 1 when they visited the garden area at Papdale Primary School for its official opening recently.

 

Thomas was given the special honour of cutting the ribbon to declare the garden – complete with Irene’s blethering bench, flower planters and bird box – open.

 

School pupils came up with the idea and saw it through to fruition in memory of Irene - a much-loved teacher, colleague and friend.

 

Andrew continued: “Mrs Drever loved to teach and treasured every one of her pupils. She loved to see bairns progress through their education and on into the world of opportunity whilst wishing everyone well no matter what direction they took.

 

“As you’ll all know, Mrs Drever loved to blether. She always found time to catch up with past pupils, their mums, dads, grandparents, guardians and their loved ones. So, it is with heartfelt sincerity that we thank Papdale’s pupils and staff, the parents, friends, the wider community and local businesses who have all contributed to Mrs Drever’s memorial garden and blethering bench. A place to catch up on each other’s lives, where comfort can be given and received, where friendships can be forged and a place to remember Mrs Drever with a smile.”

 

Iona, P7, had a special message to share with the family on behalf of the school.

 

“It’s a special day for us here at Papdale. Over this last term we have been looking back at our time here and recalling memories. Many of these fond memories included being in Mrs Drever’s class, and lots of these were outdoors and at the secret garden.

 

“6/7S, 7E and 7M have worked hard on designing and creating this special place in our playground for us all to enjoy. A place for us to sit and blether with our friends and appreciate nature roundabout – all the things Mrs Drever enjoyed. We are looking forward to walking past and seeing how the garden blooms through the summer.”

 

Leah, 7E, has special memories of being taught by Mrs Drever in P3.

 

“I remember we had a class bear called Jack that we used to get turns in taking home and then take photos and share in a memory book. Mrs Drever took him home sometimes too. We would always go to the tree corner and Mrs Drever would read books to us.”

 

It turns out Mrs Drever kept all those memory books of Jack the bear and Mr Drever took them into the class recently.

 

Class Teacher, Michelle Kennedy, said: “I think Irene would have been watching down over us all at today’s official opening and bursting with pride seeing all the hard work by the school and wider community in making the memorial garden a reality.

 

“I'm really looking forward to continuing to work in the garden with the pupils in the coming years - being outside with the bairns and sharing stories is what Irene loved and I know she'd be delighted with this legacy we've created.”

 

Special thanks go to Calvin Wilson Construction and Groundworks, R. Clouston Ltd, R.S. Rendall, B.& L. Builders and Glues for their donations to allow the bairns to work their magic. The school is also very appreciative for the offers of help and donations of plants.