Bowerhill pupils decide if campus is ‘crazy or cool?’

BOWERHILL Primary School children were treated to a visit from the Melksham Community Campus team.

The visit comes at the end of a project year five children have been working on where they have been looking at land use and in particular, at the proposals for Melksham Community Campus.

The project has been called ‘Melksham Community Campus, crazy or cool?’ and required children to decide if they agree with the proposals or not, having studied the different aspects.

Year five teacher Stephanie Norwood said, “Pupils have been able to relate to this issue because they have grown up using the facilities at Christie Miller, The Blue Pool and at the football and rugby clubs.

“They have developed a better understanding of how changes in land use and facilities available affect the lives of people in the locality.  Many of the kids are excited about the facilities but there’s some sadness about losing familiar places they have grown up with.”

Included in those visiting the children were Roy While chairman of the Shadow Communications Operations Board, Ros Griffiths and Lucy Murray-Brown from Wiltshire Council and Richard Pearce. They presented the thinking and process behind deciding facilities and the reasons why the campus is being built.

Roy While said of the visit to the school, “It’s an interesting and valuable exercise and it’s good to see young people taking an active interest in campus developments. They are the future generation who will make the most from the campus, so it’s important to come here.”

The Bowerhill pupils are passionate about the plans as they have worked on the ‘crazy or cool?’ project for so long. Pupil Josh Buckley said, “I think they shouldn’t change Melksham House. It should just be refurbished. What’s wrong with how it is?”

Classmate Charlie Gerrish agreed, saying, “I don’t like the plans. I don’t think it’s that bad as it is. “Although I am looking forward to the new rugby and football club and I am grateful that Roy and everyone has took the time to come see us in school.”

Lauren Lawes who has also been working on the project for her schoolwork said, “I’m most looking forward to the swimming pool facilities. It will be bigger and a nicer place to go.

“I’m glad they have come to our school so we can know more about the community campus.”