Bassetlaw District Council is running a special design-a-poster competition for year 5 primary school children in the district to mark the UK’s first national Climate Week from 21-27 March. Organised by Bassetlaw District Council’s Strategic Housing Officer, Gemma Maddock and Sustainability Officer, Kerri Ellis, the competition is intended to tie in with the normal school curriculum. The winning school will receive a tailored activity day with prizes reflecting Climate Change.

DIY specialists, Focus is sponsoring the competition with prizes for the designers of the winning posters as well as trees or plants for their schools.

Focus general manager for Retford, David Roberts will be on the judging panel for the winning poster. All posters entered in the competition will be showcased in the Reception foyer at the Focus store in Retford, and also at the Greening Communities Fair that will take place in Harworth on the 24 February 2011.

A1 Housing is sponsoring the printing costs associated with transforming the winning posters into glossy poster sized displays as well as a tour of the printers for the winning pupils.

According to competition organiser, Gemma Maddock, “Climate Week gives people and organisations the chance to share ideas and work together to motivate their peers and inspire others to learn and act on climate change. We can’t think of any better ambassadors for this important issue than the children of Bassetlaw who will be learning about it at school and can take the message home to their parents or carers.

Letters inviting primary schools to take part in the poster competition have been sent out to all primary schools within the Bassetlaw District.”

Climate Week is backed by the Prime Minister, David Cameron, and leading figures on climate change such as former US Vice President Al Gore, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kofi Annan and Lord Nicholas Stern. Celebrities including Sir Paul McCartney, Michael Palin, Mark Ronson, Lily Cole and Sienna Miller have also given their support.

At national level, the UK’s Climate Week will see a number of other cultural, social, and professional events aimed at promoting different, practical ways of fighting climate change and creating a more sustainable, low-carbon future.

The schools taking part in the competition are:

Sir Edmund Hillary Primary School

Ryton Park Primary School

Prospect Hill Junior School

Ramsden Primary School

Serlby Park Junior School

Dunham-on-Trent C of E Primary School

Misterton Primary School

Redlands Primary School

Mattersey Primary School

Priory C of E Primary School