The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
The designs for smokefree signs going up at schools, nurseries and play areas soon have been revealed.
Youngsters submitted entries to a competition run by South Holland District Council in conjunction with The Voice.
The council is introducing a voluntary no smoking code across its play areas and at the frontages of schools and nurseries. The signs will be put up to try and encourage people not to smoke in the vicinity.
The council offered the prize of an Apple iPad Mini in each of three categories – play area, school and pre-school/nursery. Almost 200 entries flooded in and the competition was so tough in the school category that judges decided to award two prizes – one for primary and another for secondary.
Coun Malcolm Chandler, portfolio holder for environmental health, said: “The competition received tremendous support with nearly 200 entries from children and young people across the district and I would like to thank everyone who entered.
“The judges were moved and impressed by the number, quality and creative thought which went into all the entries and had a very difficult task in deciding the winners.
“Such was the high standard the judges requested that a fourth prize be introduced to place signs in all four types of location.
“I’m sure that residents will feel a sense of pride when the signs go up in January and we will continue our drive to develop healthier communities.”
The drive towards the no smoking voluntary code was begun earlier this year by Spalding dad and community nurse Mark Le Sage. His young daughter Ella had smoke blown around her while playing in Ayscoughfee Gardens play area.
Eight-year-old Millie McNeil’s winning entry in the primary school category. Millie goes to Spalding Parish Day School.
The winning play area sign design was by Gemma Stone (4), who goes to St Bartholomew’s Primary School in West Pinchbeck.
Nursery sign and second primary school winner was Millie Smith (6), of Moulton’s John Harrox Primary School.
