Helping to plant trees in the peace garden – being developed next to the proposed leisure centre site in York Hill – are Sergeant James Priest, Jane Aireton, Seanchan Ollivier, Shauna Jenkins, Paul Maurice and Isaac Maurice. (0937561)

GREEN-FINGERED locals teamed up recently to plant 84 trees and bushes next to the proposed community centre site in York Hill.

The foliage was installed in the peace garden, which is being developed by community centre trustee Jane Aireton and a host of volunteers.

Last year, members of Alderney Wildlife Trust helped clear the area before a bank was developed. That is where the trees and bushes were planted.

Jane was delighted that so many people, including 16 Year 9 pupils from St Anne’s School, turned up to help.

‘It is absolutely fantastic to see so many people here,’ she said. ‘The schoolchildren are Alderney’s next generation and they are the ones who will really benefit from this project. There is real community commitment and that is the way things should be here.’

St Anne’s deputy head teacher Joy Madin said: ‘It’s a good opportunity for the young people in the island to become involved in an important project. It links in well with the citizenship part of the curriculum.’

Sergeant James Priest and SC Paul Maurice also turned up to help out.

Sgt Priest, who wore his Alderney Community Trust T-shirt for the occasion, said: ‘It’s been great engaging with the youngsters and those involved with the project.’

The peace garden will be dedicated to the memory of Sapper George Onions, who died in the island shortly after the Second World War ended.

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Detailed plans for the community and sports centre have been drawn up.

A generous donation has enabled the Alderney Community Sports and Health Charitable Trust to file an application for planning permission.

Trustee David Stanley outlined the latest developments, including plans to hold a public open day at the Island Hall.

‘As the composition of the States changes from time to time, a presentation was given to the Policy and Finance Committee to recap on the plans in general and report on progress to date. The trustees felt that this was well received,’ he said.

‘Thanks to a generous donation, detailed plans for the centre have been drawn up and an application for planning permission has recently been filed.

‘The trustees and their supporters propose to hold an open day at the Island Hall on 21 April, when anyone interested can come along, look at the plans, ask questions and give the benefit of their own views. A survey will be available so that people’s opinions can be usefully taken into account.’

David spoke of the benefits of building a leisure centre in the island.

‘One would be hard-pressed to have avoided the numerous press articles in recent times concerning the dangers of increasing obesity and the benefits of regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle. The trustees look forward to the community and sports centre providing everyone – young, old and in between – with facilities to get together and enjoy a fun, healthy life.’

He said further fund-raising would take place in the near future. For more information on the community centre, call David on 824347.