Shiver me timbers ? it?s a ship full of pirates ahoy!

PIRATES stormed the ship LMS (Lady Modiford?s School) Jackdaw after Commander Bill Andrew declared the gangway open and the decks ready for action.

The Walkhampton school had received a grant from the New Opportunities Fund grant via Sport England and Learning Through Landscapes in order to develop active and imaginative play. All the children were involved in deciding what sort of play equipment should be built and drew designs.

The 15m long wooden pirate ship structure was donated to Lady Modiford?s School by MacCauleys Sport and Leisure Ltd of Dinnaton. The grant was used to fund the cost of moving and re-erection and installing safety surfacing.

Mr Jamie Phillips from MacCauleys was guest of honour at the launch on March 5.

Commander Bill Andrew RN, an old friend of the school, performed the launch in full dress uniform, and regaled the children with tales of the ?old Devon pirate? Sir Francis Drake.

A traditional bottle of fizz ? but made from papier maché and containing glitter instead of champagne ? was then cracked over the bow.

All the children and staff dressed as pirates and sang sea shanties, followed by a rousing rendition of Rule Britannia. They then danced the hornpipe in the rain.

The pirate ship will be used by the after-school club Playlines and any community groups who use the school, as well as by all the children in the school.

l Pictured are some of the ?pirates? from Lady Modiford?s School at the launch of the LMS Jackdaw.