Slow and steady progress has been made to transform a memorial to a five-year-old who died of cancer into a legacy offering support to any child in need.

Branden's Trail at Bridport Primary School was play equipment dedicated to pupil Branden Wayland but the area became derelict. A partnership between the Bridport Young Persons' Action Trust (BYPAT) and Bridport Town Council aims to rejuvenate the area with new equipment.

The plans have received widespread support from across the community, from offers of practical help from Bridport Gardening Club, to financial donations from both Bridport and Brit Valley Rotary clubs, Bridport Lions, Waitrose Community Fund, Friends of Bridport Primary and West Bay Car Boot Fund, together with a number of private, anonymous donations.

Unavoidably, consultation had to be held at a distance - prepared by the charity and delivered by the school. The first face-to-face meeting with the school council, children representing each class, was attended recently by town surveyor Daryl Chambers and BYPAT's Arthur Woodgate.

Priorities had previously been identified by the pupils, the first of which was a wishing well. Also highlighted was: a maze, stepping stones, seating, shelter, fun things and things to do, wind chimes, and - thanks to the help pledged by Bridport Gardening Club - an array of sensory plants and flowers.

The school council felt strongly that Branden's Trail should be available to anyone who might need it, whatever their age and whatever the problem they were facing.

They liked the thought of painting stones to look like ladybirds, bees and other creatures and were equally keen about maybe being able to include a mural in the trail.

Local writer Colin Ward has offered to work with them towards producing a book of poems and thoughts, and had offered a haiku for them to name:

Share gracious footsteps;

Growing life's gift.

They are still thinking about that.

With Branden's Trail now both a Rights Respecting Town project and Bridport Town Council's community project of the year, work on the site will begin in the summer holidays.

For more information, contact [email protected]

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