People’s Project volunteers helped improve the outdoor learning environment at Dumfries’ first school.
Dating back to the 14th century, Dumfries Academy is steeped in history and has existed in its present form since 1804.
With a Latin motto “doctrina promovet” – which means “learning promotes” – Monday’s celebrations showed that he is always open to new ventures in his quest for education.
The academy also has an impressive list of alumni and one of them, Scottish journalist, broadcaster and presenter Stephen Jardine, has returned to help launch its new outdoor classroom and orchard which has taken a few years to develop and was funded by The People’s Project. .
(Photo: Jim McEwan)
In addition to the tables, seats, and path network, there are a number of new information panels detailing various aspects of the academy’s history.
People’s Project founder Mark Jardine said: “It’s the culmination of an idea I started about four years ago with director Joanne Dillon.
“In the years that followed and even during the pandemic, retired history teacher William McGair came back to work with the students to work on the project – so the information panels are largely the work of the students .
“In addition, The People’s Project planted 30 fruit trees and installed taps to provide water to them and for raised beds.”
He added: “It’s quite an exciting project, slap bang in the city center, and the teachers are keen to get the students to understand the importance of ‘tree to plate’, making pies and pies for their own use in their home economics classes or for the less fortunate.
