School children in Bury will soon be competing for the coveted “Golden Shoe Trophy”. The prize awaits youngsters who join their classmates and travel by foot during Walk to School Week, held from May 18 to 22.

Walking to school reduces pollution, helps children arrive at school wide awake and ready to learn, and teaches them how to cope with everyday traffic. Children in more than 30 schools are aiming to win the Golden Shoe, currently held by Greenhill Primary School.

Shortly after this, bells will ring out to celebrate Bike Week from June 13 to 21. Pupils will take part by cycling to school and, on June 17, they will all sound their bells at noon. The school with the most bells ringing will win a box of cycling goodies!

I was interested to learn the other day that one of our local schools: St Margaret’s C of E on Heywood Road is to start a “Walking Bus” scheme later in the year. As I understand it one “bus” will set off from the junction of Bury Old Road and Heywood Road and make its way up to the School; a second will start in Simister can come approach the school from the other side. More details will no doubt be available for parents and children from the school nearer the time – but sounds like an excellent idea!

tim

Further information on walking to school is available from Jayne Stuart, School Travel Advisor, on 0161 253 7451.