Storm winds destroy Strathaven schol’s new greenhouses

Dec 14 2011 by Lynda Nicol, East Kilbride News

HORRIFIED staff at Wester Overton Primary School watched in despair on Thursday as storm winds destroyed their two brand new greenhouses.

The greenhouses, which had just been erected by parents, were bought at a cost of hundreds of pounds with a grant from the National Lottery Awards for All and were part of the school’s campaign for Eco status.

There had not even been time to fit the shelving before they were demolished by the wind.

Head teacher Elaine Dillon said the first she knew something was wrong was when she saw a pane of glass fly past the window.

When staff investigated they found the greenhouses in a shattered heap.

Fortunately, the pupils – along with children at every other school in South Lanarkshire – had been told to stay at home that day because of the predicted storm.

But they returned to school on Friday to find their new greenhouses a heap of metal and glass.

Mrs Dillon told the News this week they were still trying to determine whether anything could be salvaged. Meanwhile, the area of the greenhouses has been cordoned off and put out of bounds to prevent children injuring themselves.

She added: “Pupils, parents and staff have been working so hard. The school gardens are looking beautiful and the greenhouses were the icing on the cake.

“The parents had just finished building them and the children were so looking forward to using them.

“Now we will just have to hope at least one of them can be salvaged.”