By Martin Walker
Hundreds of children in Newton Aycliffe will go home with a Diamond Jubilee memento this weekend thanks to council cash.
Every child who attends school in the town will receive a special commemorative mug, while secondary school pupils will also receive a Jubilee pen.
The gifts have been provided thanks to funding from the Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership (GAMP).
Cash is also going towards special occasions to celebrate this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The projects are being bunded by Councillors Paul Gittins, Joan Gray, Mike Dixon, Sarah Iveson, John Moran, Enid Paylor and Dorothy Bowman, who have all contributed a total of £14,000 from their neighbourhood funding.
Some of the councillors dished out mugs at St Mary’s RC School in Aycliffe earlier today.
CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR VIDEO FEATURE
The project has been pulled together by Michelle Postma, extended schools coordinator with Durham County Council.
Michelle said: “Once the celebrations are over these mugs will provide our children with a permanent reminder of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.”
GAMP Coordinator Brian Riley said: “The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the 2012 Olympic Games are momentous occasions for the country.
“GAMP is bringing these celebrations to the town’s schools by giving them a lasting memento and helping young people to feel a part of the celebrations.”
Time capsules will allow all Aycliffe school pupils to have the chance to leave a snippet of life in 2012 for future generations to discover.
Also, as a lasting legacy, the project will see the production of a colour commemorative brochure which captures the whole Olympic events on DVD and a copy will be given to each school.
■ Pictured above (left to right): Lily Pringle (7), Laura Cooper (5) and Ty Greenwell (5).
■ Pictured below (left to right): Councillors Mike Dixon, Enid Paylor, Joan Gray and Sarah Iveson, Laura Cooper (5), Lily Pringle (7) and Ty Greenwell (5); and Cllrs John Moran and Dorothy Bowman at St Mary’s RC School.
