Following on from the recent success of a school competition in Stokesley, Hambleton District Council in partnership with Taylor Wimpey and Linden Homes organised a competition with Sowerby Community Primary School and Thirsk Secondary School to let the pupils have a say in the place they live by running a street naming competition.
Thinking about the local history and the area around them, they were asked to come up with a name and reason for their suggestion for the latest phase at the Sowerby Gateway development. Themes started to come in for trees, flowers and animal names to name but a few and the suggestions were sent to both developers to pick from.
“The district council has the legal responsibility to ensure that all streets and properties in the Hambleton area are named and numbered correctly,” said Councillor Brian Phillips, Portfolio Holder for Planning.
“We have a number of large planning applications coming forward across the district and coming up with innovative names is a constant challenge. By involving the younger members of our community, we get some fresh ideas and it gives them a sense of pride and involvement.”
Debbie Whittingham, sales and marketing director at Taylor Wimpey North Yorkshire said “It’s great to have worked with Hambleton District Council on another exciting project. The competition was a huge success and the children have come up with some fantastic street names for our Lime Gardens development, which we are confident our future residents will agree.”
And Emma Butcher from Linden Homes added, “It’s always an exciting time for Linden when we start a new development and even more so when the community are involved. It has been great that the children of the local schools have contributed to the naming of the roads, superb effort made by all and we are really pleased with the winning names. You never know the winning children may even end up living here on this fantastic new development!”
Both Taylor Wimpey and Linden Homes gave prizes for the six street names to be used on these sites. Butterfly Close – Megan Roberts, age 8, Hedgehog Close – Mia Pethen, age 7, Swan Way – Charlotte Bargate, age 8, Honeysuckle Way – Evie Bradford, age 8, Poppy Drive – Mia Pethen, age 7 and Rosemary Close – Katie Louise Martin, age 12.
Any schools interested in taking up the challenge should contact either Clare Little, clare.little@hambleton.gov.uk or Amanda Madden, Amanda.madden@hambleton.gov.uk at Hambleton District Council on 01609 779977.