YOBS who destroyed a school garden have only inspired pupils to rebuild it better than ever.
Pupils with behavioural difficulties and special needs at Ysgol Morgan Llwyd were devastated when their new garden project was trashed by hooligans one weekend.
'The project is to get pupils with problems in mainstream education working,' said co-ordinator Ray Humphries.
'They were truly gutted when they saw the damage on the Monday morning.
'But to their credit they didn't give in and say it wasn't worth redoing. Instead they are determined to make it a better garden than it was before.'
Among the £500-worth of damaged plants and ornaments was a rhododendron bush worth £100.
'The bush was donated by Ness Gardens, where Groundwork Wrexham took us to get ideas for the garden,' said Ray.
'It was mature and was being removed for another plant, so we asked if we could have it. They were really good and bagged it up for us to take back that day.
'Now I will write to them and apologise for the vandalism and ask if they can help us out again.'
The garden project has been a big success, however, and over the summer will be extended.
'I started it because there are some children who have behavioural conditions or problems,' said Ray.
'I had done a similar thing at St Christopher's School. It gives the children a bit of time out to calm down and relax so they are receptive to work again.
'Over the summer we are having units installed so that pupils will still be able to work during bad weather.
'We are also building raised beds so that wheelchair-bound pupils can take part and we are also creating a herb and fruit garden where hopefully children will be able to harvest their own organic snacks.
'I want to set up a vocational qualification for the students where the less academic students can use videotapes of their work to gain qualifications and be successful.'
