Bishop backs school transformation
A plan to completely redecorate a school has received backing from leading community figures.
Hundreds of volunteers are being sought to help transform Ash Green School in a single day. The project is the idea of a local businessman who is an ex-pupil and wants to give something back to the school.
Recruitment has been going well, although more members of the community are being invited to get involved, and The One Project has been endorsed by the Bishop of Coventry and local MP Mike O’Brien.
A team of volunteers will start to prepare the school for the day of decorating in the Easter holidays on 10 April, with the paintbrushes coming out on 15 April.
Church groups have been among those to get involved, with King’s Community Church in Bedworth co-ordinating the recruitment process.
The Rt Rev Colin Bennetts said: “It gives me great pleasure to endorse this imaginative, ecumenical project to transform the working environment at Ash Green School.
“But I believe that far more than a transformed working environment will be achieved. Modelling co-operation across the community and denominations will demonstrate that together we can make effective change to our daily lives; I believe new friendships will be forged through the practical outworking of the project and, above all, that the potential of children will be enabled to flourish in surroundings which will stimulate their learning.
“On the way to all of this, I suspect, will be much fun and laughter. Do take part, if you possibly can.”
Mike O’Brien said: “I had a briefing on this tremendously exciting project. They have had this innovative idea of bringing the Church community, parents and pupils together to transform the way the school looks. Congratulations are due to the whole team. I look forward to seeing the results of the project in April. I may come along and wield a paint brush myself!”
Ralph Coleman, who is helping to co-ordinate the project, said: “We are getting more and more people in all the time, and there is plenty of opportunity for others to get involved. Having the support of Bishop Colin and Mr O’Brien is a huge bonus for the project. It has really caught the imagination of the community and Ash Green School is going to reap the rewards.”
Hundreds of man hours have been pledged by members of the community, and anyone who would like to join the project can contact Ralph Coleman at King’s Community Church in Bedworth on 024 7649 4320. Details about the project are available at http://www.kingscc.co.uk.