CHILDREN from County Durham have started spreading early festive cheer.
As part of an annual project, Durham County Council helped bring more than 300 schools from 19 countries together to learn about Christmas traditions across Europe.
Pupils in County Durham have been making decorations which reflect their own traditions to send to pupils abroad and, in return, they will receive decorations created by pupils from other European countries.
Schools will also receive an information pack to teach students how Christmas is celebrated in other countries and can include a recording of a Christmas or winter song and send happy new year wishes.
The annual project is a celebration of culture, heritage and traditions across Europe, which is a key aspect of the council’s bid to be named UK City of Culture 2025.
Thirteen schools are taking part from County Durham, including Catchgate Primary in Stanley.
Cllr Watts Stelling visits Catchgate Primary School to take part in Our Christmas Tree Decoration project Picture: SILVERBIRD PHOTOGRAPHY EMILY CAREY
Councillor Watts Stelling, Chairman of Durham County Council, joined Catchgate pupils in making their decorations, and said: “This is such a fantastic project for children to be involved in and it has been brilliant to see pupils here at Catchgate Primary having so much fun while learning about other cultures.
“Christmas is such a special time of year and in creating these decorations for other schools, children are also learning about their own traditions and cultures and gaining a much broader insight into other parts of the world.
“This project will bring pupils together from all over Europe, and, hopefully, it will also inspire their learning as they gain an understanding about a country’s language, history and geography as well as its Christmas traditions.”
Cllr Watts Steling visits Catchgate Primary School to take part in Our Christmas Tree Decoration project Picture: Silverbird Photography Emily Carey
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