A VILLAGER has donated trees to St Bees School to mark the school’s reopening.

Neil Bettinson, from St Bees, made the generous offer as he liked the idea of donating the trees to mark new beginnings for the school.

The gesture is particularly poignant as trees had been planted by the final year of students when St Bees closed in 2015.

Mr Bettinson gifted a sapling for each of the 11 pupils returning to the school and each child planted their own tree in the school grounds.

Demi McDowell, marketing executive at St Bees School, said: “We thought it was such a lovely thing to offer to do. He is part of the community and we are part of the community and we are very proud.

“It will be fantastic that the children can watch them grow. The children loved getting involved and were very proud that they each got a tree they could plant.

“We were incredibly touched by Mr Bettinson’s beautiful gesture and we look forward to watching the trees grow with the school.”

In March 2017 the school announced it would reopen as a joint venture between the trustees and Full Circle Education group and the school reopened this academic year in September.

Mr Bettinson gifted 12 saplings in total, a silver birch tree for each student and a copper beech tree, which will be planted along with a plaque at the school house dedicated to Full Circle Education’s managing director Danny Wang’s father, Wang Ming Jun.

The children worked together to dig the holes for the trees, which were planted in a

sheltered position behind the tennis courts on school grounds.

The tree planting took place earlier this week, watched by board members, Full Circle from China, parents and staff. Pupil Cinta Castello, 11, planted the first of the saplings.

There are plans to welcome more students to St Bees next year.

Headteacher Mr Seddon said: “We’re rapidly growing. It’s wonderful being so busy and keeping up with the interest that we’ve got. We’re looking forward to opening for other year groups next year.”