Pupils take part in contest to mark 100 years of Darlington Rotary

Darlington Rotary launched the competition with the support of sponsors, Darlington Building Society, and the Waterstones store in the town centre.

Scores of pupils from local primary schools took part in the competition to colour in a scene of Darlington landmarks.

The winner was judged to be Mowden Junior School’s Isaac Boston, 11, who promptly announced that his £100 first prize from the building society would be put into his savings.

Runner-up, winning £75 from the Society, was eight-year-old Freya Vickerstaff, of The Federation of Abbey Schools, while George Farey, nine, of Reid Street Primary School, won £50 for coming third.

Mowden Junior School was presented with a £50 Waterstones books voucher for the best overall entry.

Darlington Rotary President, Michelle Thompson, said: “The colouring competition was a great way to celebrate our centenary, and it was so hard to judge because the standard was so high.

“The three winning entries were fantastic, and it was an honour to present the pupils with their certificates and prizes.”

The judging panel, left to right, Sue Campbell, Jane Bradshaw, and Michelle Thompson, from Darlington Rotary; Amy McCluskey, Darlington Building Society’s corporate communications manager; and Nigel Little from Darlington Rotary. (Image: Peter Barron)

Overall winner Issac said: “Art is one of my favourite subjects, so it was fun to take part in the competition, and I’m very happy to have won. I’m going to save the money to buy something nice.”

Beth Coltman, president of Darlington Rotakids at Mowden Junior School, added: “Rotakids is a nice way to get young people involved in the local community, and the colouring competition was a great idea.”

Lisa Sidgwick, Area Manager at Darlington Building Society, said: “Darlington Rotary has done so much for the local community over the past 100 years, so we were honoured to sponsor the centenary competition, and delighted it attracted so many entries.”