South West County Durham
Green-fingered youngsters offer free help
BUDDING gardeners from a Weardale school are offering free services to residents after police try to weed out anti-social behaviour.
Students from Wolsingham School and Community College pledged to pick up more litter and help the elderly with their gardening this week after a series of respect assemblies'.
Officers from Durham Constabulary with staff from Three Rivers Housing Association visited the school to talk to youngsters and instil a culture of mutual respect.
The youngsters responded by rolling up their sleeves and starting a gardening club that will give free help to residents.
The green-fingered crew started in Wesley View in Wolsingham on Tuesday and will be travel out to Wolsingham, Frosterley, Stanhope and Crook in the coming weeks.
Resident Michelle Wilkinson, said: "This is a great idea and encourages the children to respect and have pride in the area they live."
The assemblies were part of the government's Give Respect - Get Respect campaign.
It is aimed at 12 to 16-year-olds to help reduce anti-social behaviour and encourage them to build of positive relationships in the community.
Andrea Crawshaw, head teacher, said she was proud of the charity work students did but a small section sometimes spoiled the school's efforts.
"Hopefully, this campaign will challenge and inform the small minority, encouraging them to change for the better.
"I also hope that it will allow all of our students to gain a deeper appreciation of their home communities and nurture respect and understanding for the many different groups living in our Dale."
The next gardening walk-about will be held on Friday 16th May and then every Friday after between 10am and 1pm.
Any contributions residents would like to make will be passed on to the school's UNICEF fund.
5:27pm Wednesday 7th May 2008
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