VOLUNTEERS from Valero Pembroke Refinery were on hand to help pupils and parents from Stackpole VC School recently.

The volunteers helped to help paint and tidy the school garden area ahead of big changes to school provision on the Angle peninsular.

With Stackpole VC School, Orielton CP School and Angle VC School due to merge into the Penrhyn Church in Wales VC School under construction in Hundleton, Stackpole will be hosting the three schools until January 2018 when the new school is scheduled to be completed.

In preparation for welcoming pupils from all three schools, Stackpole VC School PTA were keen to ensure the school grounds were looking their best, as well as in time to host a number of ceremonies to mark the closure of the school that has been open since the 1840s.

Members of the Valero Volunteers assisted Stackpole PTA and pupils in painting outdoor fences in the school’s nursery and playgroup gardens as well as helping to tidy the productive beds and other areas of the school garden.

Valero Pembroke Refinery Volunteer Coordinator Richard Jelley said: “Valero is committed to supporting our local communities by encouraging the workforce to get involved in local volunteering efforts, and the Valero Volunteer Council was delighted to receive a request from Stackpole School asking for our help. We had a fantastic day and hope that pupils, teachers and parents will be pleased with the result.”

Debbie McEvoy from Stackpole VC School PTA said: “Everyone in our community is incredibly proud of Stackpole School and we wanted to ensure that the whole grounds look as welcoming as possible to pupils and visitors before we move to the new school. We could not have done this without the help from Valero’s volunteers and we are incredibly grateful to the refinery for all the help they have given to Stackpole VC School over many years.”