The Bishop of Leeds, The Rt Revd Nick Baines officially opened and blessed a garden project at North Rigton Church of England Primary School this afternoon. This project was developed by pupils completing the Archbishop of York Young Leaders Award and the school gardening club.

Bishop Nick opened two quiet spaces in the school grounds, with views of Lower Wharfedale. The children have built raised beds in the garden and have grown crops which will be offered as part of the Harvest Festival at the local parish church, St John’s. Bishop Nick also presented the Year 6 Pupils with their Archbishop of York Young Leaders Award.

He says:

“What a fantastic achievement by all of the children who have contributed to this project. I hope this experience has helped them realise that they can be the change they want to see.”

Headteacher, Paul Edwards, says:

“We’re so proud of our students for all of the work they’ve put in to doing their Young Leaders Award. They have been learning leadership skills and putting them in to practice to make a positive impact on their local community. They have been engaged in a variety of helpful activities such as cooking a whole family chicken Korma, cleaning a neighbour’s windows, sorting old shoes and taking them to a charity shop, taking out grandma’s recycling and cleaning a neighbour’s tractor at home as well as planting winter pansies at the local war memorial in the village together with a litter pick.”

North Rigton CE Primary School: http://www.northrigton.n-yorks.sch.uk/