Victoria School Children Give Ideas On How To Improve Town Centre

Pupils at a Wrexham school turned town planners over earlier this month and came up with their own ideas to make Wrexham Town Centre a ‘better place’.

The head teacher at Victoria Primary School Debbie Eccles, who is a member of the Town Centre Forum, asked the children to come up with five ideas for improving Wrexham. Their innovative plans included practical ideas such as play areas in shops; more family-friendly restaurants, cheaper parking and planting trees while their more innovative thoughts involved putting a roof on Eagles Meadow, introducing flying cars and creating a pond for toy boats.

The judging panel comprised Nigel Lewis, Chair Wrexham Town Centre Forum; Richard Owen, Principal Funeral Director, E Clarke and Son; Ruth Rees from Martin Rees Jewellers, ; and head teacher, Debbie Eccles.

The Co-operative, one of the local Healthy High Streets businesses in Wrexham said they were ‘so impressed by the children’s work’ they donated a set of junior football kit and sports equipment to the school as a thank you.

Richard Owen, Principal Funeral Director from E Clarke and Son said: “I was really impressed by the effort and imagination as well as the clarity of the children in telling us what they like about Wrexham and how they would like to improve the town.

“They demonstrated interest and creativity in presenting their ideas. Well done Victoria Primary School and we hope you enjoy the sports kit!”

Nigel Lewis, Chair of the Wrexham Town Centre Forum added: “Everyone who knows me, knows that I am passionate about revitalising our town centre. I was delighted when Debbie Eccles approached us with the idea of the school project. Developing ways to improve our town centre is a real-time challenge for all of us and we need to ensure that we consider the views and interests of everyone, young and old if we are to succeed.”

“I will be sharing their ideas at the next Town Centre Forum meeting next month and we have also invited the school to participate in a couple of our forthcoming events – the Town Centre clean up on Sunday 10 May and our first Street Festival on Saturday 23 May.”

Debbie Eccles, head teacher at Victoria Primary School concluded: “I am very proud of our pupils and I am also passionate about our town. I am keen for our children to get involved with their local community in any way possible.”

“I would also like to say a big thank you to The Co-operative for its kind gift of sports equipment for the school which we will definitely put to good use!.”

Pic: Children from Victoria Primary School, Poyser Street, Wrexham with their town centre projects and judges Nigel Lewis, Chair, Wrexham Town Centre Forum (back right); Richard Owen, Co-operative Funeralcare (back left); and Ruth Rees, Martin Rees Jewellers (front left).