Green schools win challenge

Apr 24 2008 by Claire Rees, Rhymney Valley Express

JUST how green is your school? Pupils in the Rhymney Valley have been finding out.

On Friday, children from across the borough joined officers from Caerphilly Council at this year’s Yellow Woods Challenge.

Winners were announced from a host of schools and hundreds of pounds given away by Yellow Pages at the council chamber in Pontllanfraith to mark their recycling achievements.

Schools have helped raise money to plant native trees by recycling their old Yellow Pages directories. Nearly 60 schools took part in the scheme, which was organised by the council and the Woodland Trust.

St Gwladys Bargoed Primary scooped the Gold Oak title and were given £300.

The Silver Birch award and £200 prize money went to Derwendeg Primary, while Libanus Primary took the Bronze Beech certificate and £100 in cash.

Derwendeg Primary School also bagged a bonus £50 prize for being the most improved school.

For every pound awarded to schools, Yellow Pages will give a matching pound to the Woodland Trust to help plant and care for new woodland across the UK.