Cherwell Council Gets Youngsters Thinking About Recycling

13 July 2011

Talented primary school pupils from across north Oxfordshire competed this month to have their recycling designs displayed on the side of recycling trucks

Malachy McCormick's design, Charlton-on-Otmoor Primary School

Cherwell District Council challenged children from across the district to "design a poster that will encourage residents of Cherwell to recycle".

More than 250 children from nine primary schools took part in the initiative, as their work was unveiled on the sides of recycling trucks.

Councillor James Macnamara, Cherwell's lead member for environment, said: "We have all been amazed at the volume and quality of the submissions received.

"It has been a tough task to select the winners and in all cases it was a close call - there were so many excellent messages and eye-catching designs.

"But in the end we felt the four chosen entries really hit the nail on the head and we just hope residents in the district will take their sentiments to heart."

The winners were:
* Max Komodikis, nine, Deddington Primary School
* Ella Sharman, seven, The Grange Community Primary School
* Grace Marot, eight, Shenington Primary School
* Malachy McCormick, eight, Charlton-on-Otmoor Primary School

Last year the council had Agripa systems installed on its newest trucks before they were delivered.

These mean interchangeable panels can carry council messages appropriate to any event or message.

The vehicles can each carry two panels, one on either side, meaning each poster will regularly be driven through two parts of the district.

Max Komodikis from Deddington Primary said: "I'm really surprised to have won as my friends did such great posters. It was fantastic to see my design on the side of one of the lorries."

Max's teacher, Jane Cross, said: "We're very keen on recycling and reusing at Deddington Primary School.

"The children have an environmental group called Energisers who concentrate on not wasting energy and recycling everything possible. Max is a deserving winner."

Sue Waterhouse, eco co-ordinator at the Grange CP School, said: "This competition is a fantastic opportunity to work with Cherwell District Council to promote greater recycling. The children designed really effective, thoughtful posters to highlight this need.

"The Grange CP School has excellent green credentials and will soon be applying for its third consecutive Green Flag Eco-schools award. We are committed to an extensive recycling programme throughout the school."

Darrel Moore