Royal Navy Brushes Up The Decks At Local School

A Rosyth primary school has benefitted from the efforts of a few sailors today in getting things ship shape. Members of HMS Kent, currently in refit at Rosyth dockyard, volunteered to help refurbish the decking at Kings Roads primary school and despite the weather they made light work of the job.

The decking has suffered at the hands of the ever changing weather and was in need of repainting to make it more weather-proof.

A request was put in to the Naval Headquarters at MOD Caledonia for some help and HMS Kent was only too happy to step up to the plate.

Head teacher, Mr Graeme Garnham said:

"We are currently working with the MOD, Rosyth Allotment Society, the local community, the school Parent Partnership and Friends, staff and children to spruce up our quad. We are also extremely grateful to Dobbies for donating decking paint for our project free of charge."

"The quad is widely used each day by staff and children and needed some refurbishment. We are deeply indebted to the members of the crew of HMS Kent and to the parents who gave their time to complete the task and to leave us with a quad to be proud of!"

The Type 23 frigate is undergoing a refurbishment of her own at the moment, having been in refit since November 2010.

The refit is now almost complete and even though she has a very busy programme prior to sailing in November, it was felt that lending a hand at the local school was a worthwhile cause.

HMS Kent’s Commanding Officer, Commander Ben Ripley said:

“I’m very pleased that HMS Kent has been able to lend a helping hand to the staff and children at Kings Road Primary today. It’s wonderful to be able to give a little something back to the community that has supported us during this time, a community that we have very much enjoyed being part of."

"With Rosyth having been HMS Kent’s home for almost a year, it will be a sad farewell when we finally head south in November.”

Fortunately the heavy rain from the previous day had passed and although the wind was more than a little fresh, the sailors completed the job ready for inspection by the Head Teacher.

Headteacher Graeme Garnham continued:

"We actively encourage our children to seek local, national and historical links are indebted to the crew of HMS Kent. The benefits to the children, staff, parents and community of this work will be far reaching."

"We all wish HMS Kent the very best of luck when she sails and extend our thanks to her Captain and crew for their time and assistance."

It’s one way for the ship to leave a memento of their time in Rosyth for the school children to enjoy and a chance to acknowledge the support that the local community has always given the Royal Navy.