Blakemore Food Service staff create picnic area for Oldbury school

Pupils from Perryfields Primary School, Oldbury will be welcomed back in September by a brand new picnic area created with the help from a Darlaston based food distributor. 

Employees from Blakemore Food Service spent a week laying gravel paths, constructing picnic benches and erecting a small fence around the perimeter of the picnic area.

The area has been created in memory of Beryl Ball, a staff member at Perryfields Primary School who sadly passed away in 2010 after 53 years at the school. Beryl had worked at the school in various roles during her time at the school including dinner lady, caretaker, cleaner and reading volunteer. Mrs Ball’s family and the PTA kindly donated funds for projects in school and some of this money has been used to purchase picnic tables, pots and plants.

Sean Batchelor from Blakemore Food Service said:“Employees from across each area of our business have been involved in this project, it’s a great opportunity for them to work with different departments.

“A big thank you to Carillion who supplied us with all the building materials we needed for the project to take place.”

Heather Lawrence, Deputy Head Teacher said:“Thanks to the hard work and generosity of Blakemore Food Service and Carillion, the pupils will  have the opportunity to eat their sandwiches in lovely surroundings.”

Mrs Elaine Davies, Teacher added: “Beryl used her many talents for the benefits of pupils and staff at Perryfields Primary School. She is still greatly missed and fondly remembered.’’

The project is organised through Cares the national employee volunteering initiative of Business in the Community, which gives employers the chance to make a positive impact in their community.

More information

For more information about this project and other employee volunteering projects in the West Midlands contact Phil Hunt, Employee Volunteering Manager at Business in the Community Tel: 01902 717491.