Children at Claybrooke School near Lutterworth will soon be getting green fingers thanks to National Grid.
The company, which owns and operates the country's high-voltage electricity transmission system is carrying out a £9 million refurbishment to the overhead line that runs close to the school. So, project managers Matthew Street and Paul Smith dropped into the school to meet the pupils and tell them all about the work.
While he was there, Matthew handed over £500 worth of garden tools for the children to use on the school's allotment.
Matthew said: “Major refurbishment work like this one can cause disruption to residents living near the line and we like to say thank you for their cooperation and patience. We could think of no better way than by making a donation to the school and we are delighted to help them with their gardening project.
“Children find our work interesting and so we take every opportunity we can to talk to them about it. We also warn them of the dangers of playing near overhead lines and pylons.”
Project safety manager Paul took along some of the safety clothing worn by the overhead linesmen when they climb the pylons and helped the children try it on while explaining why each piece was necessary.
Headteacher Mrs Jo Blackburn said: “We were delighted when National Grid offered to buy us some child-sized tools. We have just formed a gardening club at the school and the children have been trying to use full-sized equipment, but it's very heavy for them so they're very excited about using the new tools.”
The work taking place near the school is part of a £9 million project to refurbish the high-voltage electricity network running the 16 miles from Coventry to Enderby. The line was built back in 1964 and much of the equipment has reached the end of its operational life. When complete, the refurbishment will help to ensure the region continues to receive a reliable supply of electricity.
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For further media information contact Jane Taylor, National Grid Media Relations on 0121 333 2640