Pupils pleased to have trees again

Peter Mapson has donated 12 trees to Crowdys Hill School in Stratton St Margaret, where 40 saplings disappeared last year just weeks after they were planted.

The Evening Advertiser reported the theft in April 2002.

Mr Mapson, from the builders firm Bower Mapson, has also built a fence around the trees, which include silver birch and conifers, to prevent the animals from eating them.

He said: "We saw the story in the Evening Advertiser and wanted to help because they do a great job at the school and it's a worthwhile cause."

At the time of the theft science teacher Catharine Smith told how the school were unable to afford to replace the trees.

She said: "It is such a shame because the pupils put a lot of hard work into planting them."

Since then a number of good Samaritans came forward to provide assistance to the school, including members of the business networking group Business Networking International who donated forty trees.

Deputy Christine Gower said: "After the story appeared in the Advertiser we received lots of offers from all kinds of people."

Headmaster Keith Smith said he is "absolutely delighted" with Mr Mapson's contribution and added that he has been "heartened by the generosity of the people in Swindon."

Mr Mapson, from the builders firm Bower Mapson, has also built a fence around the trees, which include silver birch and conifers, to prevent the animals from eating them.

He said: "We saw the story in the Evening Advertiser and wanted to help because they do a great job at the school and it's a worthwhile cause."

The husbandry unit at the school houses all sorts of animals, including pigs, goats and alpackers.

Twelve-year-old Tom Curley, a pupil at Crowdys Hill is happy the animals now have somewhere to sit in the shade.

He said: "My favourite animal is Lucy the pony and I'm glad Mr Mapson has given us these trees."

Fellow student Nicola Linfield, 11, added: "The trees are really good and they will make it much nicer for all the animals."