Breadcrumbs
Rugby School Wins Countryside Agency Radio Broadcast Competition: 7 February 2006
The four winners and their class teacher Mrs Tracey Bennett each receive a Raleigh bicycle, which is being built specially for them.
The children were asked to pick out one of five messages from the Countryside Code and to create a one to two-minute radio broadcast to get the message across. Daniel Hart (9), Rebecca McCabe (8) and Ria Thompson (9) – all from just outside Rugby – and Matthew Kent (8) from nearby Newton, chose to get across a message about not dropping litter in the countryside.
The competition was very keen and the judges - Helen Mark and Richard Uridge from BBC Radio 4’s Open Country programme; Bill Graham of Farming and Countryside Education (FACE); and Mel Capper and Abigail Spooncer of the Countryside Agency - were hard-pressed to reach a final decision. The children’s dramatic presentation of a countryside picnic was considered to have good use of sound effects, presented a clear message about picking up litter, gave practical advice, showed a good sense of humour and had a beginning, middle and an end.
Mel Capper said: “We were overwhelmed by the number of really high quality entries. What shone through was the way in which all the children had grasped the real messages of the Countryside Code and were obviously going to put them into practice.”
Alex Garwood, Melissa Tuff and Alex Barnes from Glenfield Primary School, Stamford Street, Glenfield, Leicester, were runners up and overall winners for Key Stage 1 entries, while Cameron Robert, Joshua Cropper, Archie Doyle and Louis Mernagh from Rendcomb College Junior School, Rendcomb, near Cirencester were joint runners-up and Harry Priestner, Megan Chadwick, Milly Beck and James Mudge also from Rendcomb were awarded a special “Highly Commended” prize.
They all won a Regatta rucksack – just the thing for carrying picnics and weatherproof clothing for a day out in the countryside.
Tracey Bennett said: “It’s fun to approach the subject in this way – and it’s taught them a lot. Our school is in the countryside, and it has helped them to appreciate the environment and how to look after it.”
ENDS
Issued on behalf of the Countryside Agency by Woodcote Communications. For further information, the Creature Comforts™ characters and the Countryside Code logo, please contact:
Lindy MargachWoodcote Communications 020 8669 0686, Gemma Hector or Head teacher: Mr LinkGlenfield Primary School Tel 0116 287 2188, Matthew Heard or Beth Rose Countryside Agency 01242 533476 / 533306
NOTES TO EDITORS
The five messages in the Countryside Code are:
· Be safe – plan ahead and follow any signs
· Leave gates and property as you find them
· Protect plants and animals, and take your litter home
· Keep dogs under close control
· Consider other people
Following publication of the draft Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill in February, English Nature, the Rural Development Service and the Countryside Agency’s Landscape, Access and Recreation division are working towards integration as a single body: Natural England. It will work for people, places and nature with responsibility for enhancing biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas; promoting access, recreation and public wellbeing, and contributing to the way natural resources are managed – so they can be enjoyed now and for future generations.
The Countryside Agency’s Landscape, Access and Recreation division aims to help everyone respect, protect and enjoy the countryside – protecting natural landscapes; and encouraging access to, enjoyment of and sustainable management and use of the countryside
English Nature is the independent Government agency that champions the conservation of wildlife and geology throughout England.
