EAST Allington Primary School has opened a memorial garden in remembrance of their teacher Claire Widdicombe.

The school gathered for the official opening of the garden on Friday, April 29, Claire’s birthday, with her family members.

Head teacher Karen Partridge said that the garden had been a ’team effort’ with people from across the school and the community offering ’time, ideas and resources’. She said the aim had been to create a space that reflects ’laughter, maths, Bruno and children’, Bruno was Claire’s much-loved house rabbit.

She said the amount of people present at the opening ceremony showed ’how highly we all still think of Claire Widdicombe – her outstanding teaching, her love of children and zest for life’.

During the school day, pupils had written down their memories of Claire and they were placed in a biscuit tin and buried in the garden. ’We thought the tin would represent Claire’s love of sweet things.’ said Karen.

Some of the memories were read out. One read: ’She was always smiling even when she was sad. She used to say “That’s fandabbydozy work”. I remember in assembly she used to sit on a stool so everybody could see her. I think of you every day and night, I miss you so.’

When Claire died, the school came up with a list of things to do in her memory. One was the garden, another was the memories tin, a maths day, a fun run and a dress up day. ’The only thing we haven’t managed to do is the Whacky Races car driven by someone in the school’, said Karen.

After Claire’s husband Graydon cut the ribbon and officially opened the garden, the pupils put on their own performances of songs, dance and poems.

Claire died in Torbay Hospital on Saturday, September 20, 2014, after giving birth to stillborn son Jay. She was 38.

The East Allington Fun Runs in Claire’s memory are on Sunday, May 22. To sign up, visit the website: www.eastallington10km.co.uk