Students have been thanking Bridport businesses, local charities and everyone who generously supported their appeal for more outdoor picnic spaces.  

The appeal for new outdoor seating raised an amazing £5,386, following match funding worth £2,000 from Palmers Brewery, as well as a £1,000 donation from Bridport Round Table, and other generous donations from Bridport Ladies Circle and other local businesses – thank you!  

Nine large new picnic tables, providing extra seating for more than 70 Students, have been put up in the school grounds over the Easter Holidays, thank you to John Bright Country Store for providing a discount.  

The remaining funds will be put towards a new sail shade so that Students can enjoy spending time outside together whatever the weather.       

The appeal emerged from a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style challenge, where Students pitched their ideas for improving their school, congratulations to Students Daniel, Luke, Riley, Imogen, Isla, Livy and Rose who made the winning pitch for more outdoor picnic spaces. 

Daniel said: “The new tables are great, we had this idea and it is good to see that it has now become a reality, thanks to the support of so many people and businesses, thank you to everyone who has helped us raise the money.”    

Rose said: “It is lovely to have more places to enjoy eating lunch outside, they are being really well used already, thank you to Palmers and everyone who supported our cause.” 

John Palmer, Chairman of Palmers Brewery, said: “The Palmers Brewery Community Fund is delighted to be supporting Colfox School enhance its outside spaces and help make the student’s project become a reality.” 

Adam Shelley, Headteacher of the Sir John Colfox Academy, said: “Bridport is a generous place, and I’d like to thank all businesses, groups and everyone who helped our Students raise this money, including Palmers for their match funding and Bridport Round Table, Bridport Ladies Club, and Bellrock.  The new picnic tables are great and already being enjoyed every lunchtime.  At Colfox we believe in listening to our students and this appeal to improve our school’s outdoor spaces was their idea. We are lucky to have beautiful, spacious grounds with lovely views, and its great that we now have more picnic places.”