Blake Le Ber is finally stepping back from his challenge to restore the garden.
Mr Le Ber, 19, who has Down’s syndrome, was named Young Achiever of 2024 at the Pride of Guernsey Awards for taking on the challenge with such passion. When he found the space, the garden had been neglected for about 15 years – an overgrown mess with chest-high weeds, broken bits of wood, and various abandoned pallets and tyres. In its place now lies a manicured landscape, tucked away in a sun-trapped corner of Delancey Park.
Now that he has finished his studies at Le Murier, Mr Le Ber is proud to lay down a path of fresh wood chips for future students to continue his legacy, while he enjoys the fruits of his labour.
‘Definitely enjoyed it in the summer, when we had apples growing,’ he said. ‘We made gache melee.’
He has been backed in his endeavours by two learning support assistants at Le Murier, Chris Tebble and Richard Klein, who have worked closely with him throughout the project.
‘It was really quite a mess,’ said Mr Klein.
‘We could hardly get through to the back. But thanks to Blake and to a lot of incredible support from local businesses, with a new shed donated from Stan Brouard, as well as wheelbarrows, diggers, wood chips and plenty of other help from many more – it’s now tidied away and a nice spot for people to come.
‘Now that’s Blake’s job done on it, the fun is over to someone else. We can’t thank everyone who has supported us enough.’
Le Murier deputy headteacher Chris Harvey said the school had a couple of students lined up to look after the revived garden, and plans to bring more classes up in the future.
Mr Le Ber’s mum, Rachel Rugg, said her son has consistently shown a strong commitment to the garden and had enjoyed the physical work.
When he started, its dauntingly dilapidated state was somewhat of a sensory overload, which he could only tolerate for a few minutes at a time.
But, after about a year of clearing, he was there every week for hours at a time, happily cutting brambles and strimming hedges.
‘He’s loved every minute of it,’ she said.
‘It’s got him wanting to get up and out in the mornings, where I’d normally struggle to get him out of bed. I want to say a big thank you to his LSA’s Chris and Richard – without them this wouldn’t have happened.’
Mr Le Ber is now attending States’ Therapy and Enabling service three days a week, with hopes to one day join the team at Grow.