PUPILS at Symondsbury Primary School have much to celebrate this week with their new pond now open and their summer fair shaping up for Saturday (25th).

The pond, in the school's garden, was helped along by a £350 grant from Wessex Water but was planned and installed by pupils from the Gardening Club, led by teaching staff Lisa Jenkin and Karen Meek, and supported by parent volunteers.

Pupils were involved in every step of the construction and the selection of plants. Harry from Class 4 wrote the original application to Wessex Water for funding and, along with fellow pupil George, cut the ribbon on the pond at the grand opening afternoon, giving a speech to the gathered pupils and parents, thanking everyone for their help.

He said: "We are really lucky to have this pond in our school garden which we can learn from and enjoy. It has been great fun working on this project."

Head Teacher, Emma Roberts, said: "We are thrilled at the new pond, made possible by the hard work and support of so many pupils, parents and helpers. not to mention Wessex Water and their funding. And we are pleased that it will be on show this Saturday during the School Summer Fair which is always a brilliant event, again thanks to the support of so many and especially our hard-working friends committee. We are excited about raising enough money to make some wonderful changes to our school library over the summer holidays, including buying more books and creating an inspiring space for children to use."

However, one big mystery remains. What will the four new fish who are now resident in the pond be called?

A competition will be run at the school fair on Saturday to name them, alongside a whole range of traditional summer activities and stalls.

Organised by the Friends of the Symondsbury School the fair will be raising money towards the planned new library facilities in the school and has already been generously supported by a range of local businesses, including Baboo Gelato who have donated the £100 star raffle prize and who will also be serving up delicious ice-creams on the day itself.

Other activities at the fair will include live music, maypole dancing from pupils, a bouncy assault course, lots of traditional fun and games, a barbecue, face-painting and a wide range of stalls selling homemade cakes, crafts, plants and books. The ever-favourite jolly jar stall will be in full cry, as will the tombola.

Organiser Karen Meek said: "The school summer fair is a traditional high point in the life of the school and a really important way that we can raise much needed funds.

"We are hugely grateful for the support we receive from our raffle sponsors Baboo Gelato, and other local businesses including Groves, Hare Salon, Transition Running and The Olive Tree restaurant. I would also like to thank in advance all the members of the friends who work so hard in putting this together, to all the pupils who contribute and, of course, to everyone who comes along and supports us."