Darlington Children Provide a Quiet Place to Rest
Schoolchildren at three primary schools in Darlington have provided colourful benches in three parks for people to ‘rest and reflect’.
Schoolchildren at three primary schools in Darlington have provided colourful benches in three parks for people to ‘rest and reflect’.
Money for the benches was raised partly by Darlington Rotary’s young people’s groups, RotaKids, in Abbey, Reid Street and Mowden schools.
The benches, which are made wholly of recycled materials, are in the schools' colours: Green Park – in Abbey School’s school colour red; The Denes – in Reid Street School, also red; and Bushel Hill Park – in Mowden School’s blue.
Darlington Rotary also sited a bench of their own in Stanhope Park in taupe. As well as money brought in by the schools’ fundraising, the cost was supported by a Rotary Foundation grant from Rotary North East, through grants officer and Darlington Rotary member, Robin Raine.
The benches are the last in a series of projects marking Darlington Rotary’s centenary year, which ended in June.
Last year’s Rotary president Michelle Thompson said: ‘We are very grateful for the support of Darlington Borough Council for installing the benches in their special locations.
‘The benches are all made from recycled plastic material, and they each bear a plaque which say who donated them, in celebration of our Centenary, and finishing with the simple quote of ‘a place to rest and reflect’.’
Current Rotary President Jeff Mann said the benches were in keeping with one of the pledges in the centenary mission, namely to improve our environment sustainably in Darlington and keep the community at the heart of what Rotary does.
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Pic – Past President Michelle Thompson and Robin Raine at the Mowden School bench