A school in Micklefield, West Yorkshire has celebrated the grand opening of a new memorial garden built with materials provided by Persimmon.

Main picture: Sean Eames (Persimmon Homes Head of External Affairs - North), Councillor James Lewis (Leader, Leeds City Council), Dennis Best of Micklefield Heritage, Councillor Mary Harland (Executive Member for Communities, Leeds City Council) and Councillor Mirelle Midgley, Leeds City Council.

Leeds City Council Leader James Lewis was on hand as teachers, parents, councillors and local residents gathered for the ribbon cutting at Micklefield Primary School.  

The project was the brainchild of the Micklefield heritage group to help commemorate the 125^th anniversary of the Peckfield Pit Disaster in which 63 people lost their lives.

With the cameras of BBC Look North watching on, speakers thanked Persimmon for helping make the garden possible.

Leeds City Councillor Mary Harland, Executive Member for Communities said: “I’d like to thank the heritage team, the school, and all the businesses including Persimmon Homes who helped bring this project to fruition.”

Emma Cook, Interim Headteacher of Micklefield Primary School said: “I would like to thank Dennis Best and his team of volunteers for all their hard work and Persimmon Homes for their kind donation of materials. As the local primary school at the heart of the community, this project has given us a real opportunity to work together to create something really special.”

Christopher Hull, Managing Director for Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire said: “We strongly believe in supporting local community projects and so were only too happy to donate materials to help create the new memorial garden at Micklefield Primary School.

“With our Manor Grange development just around the corner, we were keen to work with the school and local heritage group to create a space that pupils and residents can enjoy and learn more about the history of the area.

“We were delighted to join Councillor Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council, teachers, pupils and residents in celebrating the grand opening of the garden and hope the people of Micklefield will enjoy the space for many years to come.”