Colourful community book bench unveiled in Cockerton

A colourful community book bench, featuring the designs of local youngsters, has been unveiled at Cockerton Library.

Cockerton Community and Business Group organised a special competition for youngsters to create a design for the new bench after securing funding via local ward councillors through the Stronger Communities Fund alongside donations and events organised by the group.

Dozens of entries were received and the panel of judges, which included representatives from Darlington Libraries, Cockerton Community and Business Group and ward councillors, felt there were so many fabulous designs that elements of several by children from St Mary’s, Mount Pleasant, Holy Family and St Bede’s schools were chosen.

Local artist Lisa House then took on the task of bringing them to life with the finished bench featuring rainbows, stars and books as well as Cockerton Green.

Kay Sandham, chair of the Cockerton Community and Business Group, said: “We were blown away by the number of entries and the ideas of the children. Our children have amazing imaginations and their kind and caring attitude to the world and their local environment shone through.

“We did create a shortlist of 16 and took elements from each of those designs, as there were just too many good ideas to choose a single one.

“Cockerton Community and Business Group has been honoured to work with the community, local schools, councillors and Cockerton Library on this project. We feel the bench will be a huge asset to our village and certainly worth the wait.

“It will provide somewhere for residents to sit and rest while visiting our fantastic village.”

Cllr Steve Harker, leader of Darlington Borough Council and local ward councillor, said: “The children were so excited to see how their wonderful ideas had been included in the artwork. The bench is absolutely fantastic. I’m sure it’s going to be a colourful addition to the village.

“It’s been a great community project and is a wonderful example of how we as ward councillors can use the Stronger Communities Fund to make a difference.”

The bench is currently located inside Cockerton Library but will be installed outside once the weather improves.

To find out more about the fantastic range of resources at Darlington Libraries and for details of events/activities log onto the website at www.darlington.gov.uk/library or download the Darlington Library App. You can also find them on Facebook @DarlingtonLibraries or on Twitter @DarlLibs