Ground Force met Changing Rooms and the Wombles as work began on an ambitious makeover at Gloucester's Central Technology College as part of the BBC Voices project. And on Friday May 15 the BBC's Director General came long to see what had been done so far. He met college staff and students and took a tour of the quad, where he took a particular interest in the new giant chessboard - and even advised the boys playing the game on their next move! Staff and boys explained about the work so far and praised the positive effect that the Voices project is having at the school. See more pictures of Greg Dyke at Central in our photo gallery Voices producer Simon Williams explained to Mr Dyke how the plan was to give what was a sad-looking open space in the centre of the school a massive makeover - transforming it into a performance space, outdoor classroom and giant games area. Mr Dyke said he was impressed by the change that had been achieved in such a short time.  | | Pupils get to work |
On Friday May 9 our task force went into action - and worked so hard that by the end of the day the spruced-up quad was looking like a different place. Staff, parents and pupils - including Central's head Enid Cole - set to with spades, shovels, secateurs, brooms and rubbish bags to start the landscaping work. Fifteen volunteers from the community action team at Cheltenham & Gloucester in nearby Barnwood provided much-needed muscle to get a huge amount of work completed in just one day. BBC Radio Gloucestershire's John Rockley presented his lunchtime show from the quad to report on progress to listeners who had generously donated timber and shrubs.  | Before and after: from rubbish-strewn overgrowth to new flower beds | |
In stage one the Quad Force team: - Cleaned the area of rubbish and overgrowth
- Installed new seating
- Dug new flower beds
- Made a start on seating to provide an amphitheatre-style performance space
- Laid paving for a giant chessboard
Voices of Gloucester producer Simon Williams said at the end of the day: "We were amazed at how much of a change everybody managed to achieve in such a short time. "There is still lots to hard work to be done to transform this open space into a really exciting area, but we have made a fantastic start and everybody involved was absolutely delighted by the progress we made." If you would like to help out with the next stages of the Quad Force project call the BBC Radio Gloucestershire Action Desk on 01452 331133 or email simon.williams01@bbc.co.uk  | Greg Dyke with college staff and Voices producer Simon Williams |
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