A memorial garden has been created at Poplar Street Primary School, Audenshaw in honour of two beloved members of school staff, Andrew Gwynne MP and Councillor Charlotte Martin were invited along to officially open the garden.

The garden was set up to celebrate and remember the lives of Sue Chesters and Leanne Ray, who sadly passed away in 2021 and 2022 respectively. The garden is a space for reflection and play for both children and adults, where benches have been installed along with windchimes and light reflectors.

Helen Fletcher, Headteacher at Poplar Street Primary, part of Victorious Academies Trust said, “Leanne and Sue were much loved members of Poplar Street School, they both developed some lifelong friends there and it was a pleasure to devote a little corner of school to create a memorial garden in their honour. Over time the garden will be developed further we will also be adding a willow hut. We would like to thank the family and friends who came to share in this special day.”

Andrew Gwynne MP said, “It’s been my absolute pleasure to be invited to Poplar Street Primary to cut the ribbon and officially open the new memorial garden which has been dedicated to two former members of staff, it was lovely to hear other members of staff give their tributes to Sue and Leanne. It’s very clear they’ve left a permanent mark on the whole school community. It was also really nice for Councillor Charlotte Martin and I to be briefly shown around the school and I got some great questions from some of the pupils about being an MP!”