Ex-pupil demolishes former school in Wiltshire
An ex-St John’s School pupil has had the opportunity to live out the dreams of many children by leading the demolition of her former lower school - the Savernake building.
Beth Pope, who attended St John’s School’s Savernake building in Marlborough between 1985 and 1988 before moving to the Steadman building, won the opportunity at a raffle organised by developers Crest Nicholson at an Open Day where previous pupils were given one final look around their old schools. Beth demolished part of the side of the building to make way for exciting future phases of Crest Nicholson’s St John’s Park development.
St John’s School was formed in 1975 with the amalgamation of the Marlborough Grammar School and Marlborough Secondary Modern School. The lower school was housed in the Savernake building, which was previously the Secondary Modern School and was built in 1965. Current school pupils are now enjoying their school days in a new state-of-the-art school on the South side of Marlborough.
Beth, who is now a primary school teacher and lives in Hungerford, commented: “It is great to be able to play such a key part in the demolition of my old school. It really is every child’s dream that I’m now able to live out – the children that I teach are very excited about it as well.
“This building holds a lot of memories for me, good and bad. I particularly remember how large and scary it used to be, but since coming back as an adult I’ve realised just how old and run-down it is looking – it was very much in need of demolition.”
Laura Osborne, sales and marketing manager for St John’s Park explained: “The school at Marlborough has been at the heart of the community for many years and it seemed fitting to offer the chance for former pupils to take the first steps in the final chapter of the school.
“The St John’s Park development is particularly exciting as it is in such a beautiful part of the town, with views across the countryside. We have had lots of interest in the properties from local residents and former students keen to see how we have transformed the area.”
Kate Hunter, Development Officer at St John’s School said: “Crest Nicholson offered the demolition as a raffle prize and we raised over £1,000 for the new school by selling tickets at our Reunion Day last September. Crest has been extremely supportive of St John’s throughout the construction of the new school, and we are looking forward to continuing to work with the company to the benefit of our students and the wider community.”
Demolition of the former Marlborough Grammar School, which is now the Steadman building will take place later in May and will be started by another lucky raffle winner, Jane Boulton.
The St John’s Park development, which was named by current students at the school, offers homebuyers the choice of 169 traditionally designed properties including three, four and five bedroom houses. There are currently a number of attractive four bedroom properties on offer at St John’s Park, all of which have a garage and parking space. Prices currently start at £304,950 for a four bedroom ‘Mayford’ and range to £334,950 for a four bedroom ‘Marksbury’.