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A tranquil garden aiming to remember an inspirational islander, while providing stretched students with a calm spot to unwind, could open by the start of the new school year.
Having been given the green light by the Planning Department, work will now begin at on a green space in Harry Zambon's memory at JCG next month.
Before he passed away last year, the 25-year-old Victoria College alumnus helped scores of islanders through stroke and cancer recovery, while also raising thousands for charity – despite having suffered two brain haemorrhages and a stroke himself.
Aiming to pay tribute to Harry’s ethos of finding balance amid the stresses of life, his mother, Sharon Shepherd, started fundraising to create a garden at JCG, where Harry's sister went to school and Harry took one of his AS Levels, in October.
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Pictured: Harry and his mum, Sharon, who came up with the garden idea.
More than 150 islanders threw their weight behind the project, smashing the £10,000 target earlier this year, while dozens offered their expertise and labour.
Axis Mason then had the task of drawing up plans, which were submitted to the Planning Department on 8 April and approved on 21 May.
A statement accompanying the application explained the purpose of the garden will be to “allow students, staff and others to take some time out for their wellbeing and to enhance their life balance.”
Located between the science block and drama studio, the 220sqm site will be wheelchair-accessible and include evergreen plants with “highlights of silvers, whites and purple/blues” alongside winding gravel paths.
The timber fence at the back of the garden will be “softened with a new native hedge”, which it’s hoped will both reduce road noise from Mont Millais and encourage wildlife into the school grounds.
Pictured: The front cover of the design statement explaining the garden proposals, which were developed by Axis Mason.
“There will also be areas of lawn which can be used for informal seating during the warmer months, and will be gently mounded to envelope the hard surfaces,” the plans read, adding: “It is intended that the whole College community together… [will] join together in creating the garden and it will become a very special space on the campus.”
Sharon told Express work is now due to begin in July, with an aim of working through the summer to ensure that it is complete by the start of the new academic year in September.
While she said she was initially concerned that some of the individuals and businesses who offered their services at “very good rates” may no longer be able to do so due to the impact of the pandemic, she said she was delighted to learn that they were still happy to honour their “very generous” pledges of help.
“It’s very exciting!” she said, adding: “It’s fantastic people have given their time and experience and knowledge.”
Pictured: The garden aims to provide JCG and VCJ students with a place to unwind and find balance amid the stresses of studying.
JCG Principal Carl Howarth commented: “We are delighted to have received planning permission to create Harry’s Garden; a place of calm positivity and quiet reflection in memory of Harry Zambon.
“Thanks to the incredible generosity of JCG parents and friends of Harry, we have the funds to make this a truly special place and a wonderful addition to our campus.”
He continued: “Work is due to commence at the end of this term with the aspiration to have it open for the return of the College in September.
“When Sharon, Harry's mother, originally suggested the idea, the purpose of this garden was important. Due to covid-19 and its impact on all our lives, the garden is even more important now.”
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