Read all about it! Businesses combine to create a new chapter for school reading
Children at a village primary school are celebrating the opening of a brand-new reading cabin, after businesses came together to offer a helping hand.
Built in 1905, Springwell Village Primary School, in Springwell Village, Gateshead, is short on space for today’s needs and Headteacher, Bryony Parrish and Deputy Headteacher, Julie Gettings, started looking into options to create a dedicated reading space for the children.
School governor, Liz Reid, contacted a member of a local reservoir project team about the need for a dedicated reading space at the school. Northumbrian Water and its partners, Mott MacDonald Bentley (MMB), who are carrying out a major infrastructure project nearby, met with the Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher and this led to a plan being hatched to acquire and install the new reading cabin.
Supported by partners and other businesses they arranged for a brand-new cabin to be lifted into place in the school yard, power to be installed, and for the new library to be furnished and decorated inside and out.
Wernick Group donated the cabin itself, while Thompsons of Prudhoe and Old Haulage arranged for its delivery and positioning, and Intelect installed the power.
The external design was painted by local artist Lewis Hobson, of Durham Spraypaints.
Children’s author Rachel Skeoch – a former pupil at the school – officially opened the cabin, before artist and broadcaster Alfie Joey led a special assembly for the school.
Headteacher Bryony Parrish said: “We are thrilled with the finished cabin; it is a lovely cosy space for our children to enjoy. We couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who has helped bring it to life.”
Northumbrian Water and MMB are coming to the final stages of constructing a new reservoir on the outskirts of the village, which will hold treated drinking water, ready for use by customers across Wearside and South Tyneside. The £56m investment will support supplies for more than 250,000 customers.
Northumbrian Water’s Project Manager, Richard Johnston, said: “We’ve been working in and around Springwell since early 2022 and have been carrying out a range of activities to support the community. When ourselves and MMB were approached about the need for a new reading space, we knew it would be a big task, but were keen to help. It’s been made possible by a real one team approach from everyone involved and it’s fantastic to see the cabin in place, fully stocked and decorated, and looking fantastic.”
Sarah Parvin from Mott MacDonald Bentley said” ‘We’re committed to working collaboratively with our partners and the local community to create lasting legacies. By using our time, skills, and expertise, we strive to support meaningful projects just like this, ensuring they have a positive impact beyond our core infrastructure work. It’s been fantastic to see so many businesses come together to deliver a dedicated reading space for the children at Springwell Village Primary School, and we’re proud to have played a part in making it happen.”
Liz Reid, Vice Chair of Springwell Village Residents Association said: “The community here really values the school – it’s been a huge part of village life for generations. We’re proud to have helped deliver this much needed new addition.”
Steve Bradley, General Manager at Wernick Hire Dunston, said: “Wernick Hire Dunston were please to assist J.N Bentleys (MMB) Springwell Project in suppling the cabin for the school project.”
Kevin Willis, Contracts Manager at Intelect, said: “Intelect are delighted to have played a part in supporting such a fantastic community project at Springwell Village Primary School. We are hugely passionate about supporting the next generation of young people, and we hope that this initiative will ensure that the children continue to grow and build on their learning, thanks to increased access to invaluable resources.”