Pupils from St. Mary’s Primary School in Douglas are now even more knowledgeable about herbs and flowers after completing the first stage of a two-phase scheme undertaken by staff members from RBS International.

The team carried out the assignment for the Bank’s Get Your Hands Dirty Community Project, which allows staff time away from work to undertake environmental initiatives.

The development – which saw the provision and planting out of raised garden beds – was the idea of Melody Potenciano from the bank’s payments section, whose son attends St. Mary’s.

Following discussions with head Tim Short, a design was mapped out aimed at removing various bits of debris and enhancing the area surrounding the front entrance to the school.

The plan was to construct two beds, one containing herbs and fruit while plants in the other, such as lavender and thyme, were chosen for their fragrance. Both beds are to be maintained by the children.

One of the organisers, Sarah Dawson, from the products and marketing department explained: ‘After raising the money and enlisting the support of various local companies, an e-mail was sent out asking for volunteers to take the project forward. There was a good response and when we all met up for a planning meeting, it became clear we were all either former pupils of St. Mary’s or else had children who were currently attending the school.’

Among the local companies who rallied round to help were Ballaneven Compost who provided the soil free of charge, while Grasshopper transported it to the school – again without charge. The raised beds were made by construction company A.K.M. which didn’t charge for the materials, staff putting them together in their own time.

The school’s gardening club has now taken over responsibility for the beds but that is not the end of the story. Said Mr. Short: ‘We are really grateful to the team from RBS International for carrying out this environmental project which has made a big difference to the look of the school’s front entrance. I think it has also proved to be a good team-building exercise for the RBS International members.

‘Next phase, once the money has been raised, will see the construction of a mural at the rear of the building based on the theme of Noah’s Arc. My intention is to have a special unveiling of the mural with children dressed up as little animals to illustrate the story.’

The school was given ?500 from the Get Your Hands Dirty project to cover the cost of the flowers and other incidentals. Meanwhile, the bank staff have already raised ?300 from various events towards phase two, the total cost of which is likely to be in the region of ?1,000.

Staff members involved in the project were Chris Cosgrave, Sabrina Cosgrave, Kirsty Weir, Dan Mills, Katie Callow, Sarah Dawson and Melody Potenciano.