VOLUNTEERS from Uxbridge food manufacturer General Mills put their DIY skills to the test by helping Iver Environment Centre renovate a disused water wheel in its community sensory garden.

General Mills, based at Harman House in George Street, produces brands like Nature Valley, Haagen-Dazs and Petits-Filous.

Staff noticed the wheel when they began a number of initiatives there during Earth Day last year.

Four of them decided to help restore it and the surrounding features, once used as a place of peace and contemplation for trauma sufferers.

Prinit Patel, Paul McArdle, Jason Whitelock and James Gibbon initially planned to simply remove the wheel, clean and re-paint it and possibly replace a few buckets.

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However, they soon realised the mechanism would need to be completely rebuilt and set about creating an exact replica.

The buckets were fixed and the spindle – the only piece retained from the original – was refurbished and attached. The wheel was then varnished in yacht paint to protect it from the elements and extend its lifespan.

The centre re-connected the electricity supply and now has a fully functional water wheel.

 “We’re extremely grateful to the team for all their time and effort in helping to bring the garden back to its original beauty,” said Ruth Shelton, centre manager. “Their dedication and perseverance was unwavering throughout the project and its brilliant to see the finished article.”

Jonathan Bennett, director of external relations at General Mills UK, added: “As a business based in the area, we’re proud to help restore the water feature which will hopefully bring a small piece of comfort to those that use it.”