Member Article

Pupils from St Charles Primary School go wild with help from Dunelm Homes

Dunelm Homes has stepped into help a group of eight and nine year olds from a local primary school after a year-long project was destroyed by vandals that broke into the school grounds.

Year four pupils from St Charles Primary School in Spennymoor had been working on a wildlife area project since the start of the school year in September but their efforts were ruined - not once but twice - just days before its grand opening as part of the school’s annual family learning day.

On hearing of the pupils’ disappointment, Newton Aycliffe-based housebuilder, Dunelm Homes, has donated much-needed camera equipment to help the children view activity in the wildlife area and a selection of established plants, carefully chosen to attract butterflies and other insects to the newly repaired nature garden.

Mrs Judith Reeves, headmistress at St Charles Primary School said; “Months and months of hard work had gone into the wildlife garden with the children clearing an area of the school field and spending time constructing bug hotels and bird boxes. To have their efforts ruined through vandals was devastating for them, particularly when they were looking forward to showing the area to rest of the school and parents.

“Thanks to the kind donation from Dunelm Homes and the support we have received from other locally based companies and groups, the pupils have been able to get the project back up and running and have created something which future year groups will be able to maintain and continue to get pleasure and valuable learning opportunities from.”

Anne Francis, homemaker at the nearby Thinford Gardens development by Dunelm Homes added; “It was really disappointing to hear about the damage caused and we were delighted to help in whatever way we could. The children had specially requested a camera which would enable them to record key moments and events taking place in the garden as well as plants known to be useful in attracting butterflies in the area; we look forward to seeing the nature area thrive and form an important part of the ongoing learning for pupils at the school.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Colin Willetts .