Dounreay Apprentices On the Ball For South School, Wick

12th April 2006

Photo Gallery

Apprentices at Dounreay turned their skills to making football equipment when they learned that a primary school in Wick didn't have a proper set of goalposts on its pitch.

They turned out a new set of goals using fabrication equipment in their workshop and then installed them at Wick's South School.

The apprentices also manufactured a new set of gates to help improve
security at the school. Dounreay became involved in the project when site director Norman Harrison spoke with community leaders about how the site could help the Pulteneytown regeneration project.

South School head teacher Pat Bowers said: "So many of the children seem to live and breathe football, so the newly constructed goal posts are a great boost. It's been an instant success!"

She added: "At break times the children love to organise themselves into teams and play until they hear the school bell in the distance. I hope the new facility will strengthen the community spirit of the area and that youngsters will use the area to practise their skills and show a positive outlook to the Pulteneytown area.

"The gates provide an added security to the school premises is something which has been required for some time. The playground area is out of bounds after the school day and needs to continue to ensure our school building is not under risk of vandalism.

"The community will benefit as well as the children of the school. MAASK, the Morning and After School Klub, will extend their programme during the summer months to incorporate more football sessions, as will the South School football team. No longer will we need to carry the posts out when the good weather appears.

"The apprentices did a great job and the school is grateful to UKAEA, on behalf of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, for its suppport."

The apprentices involved were Graeme Cormack, Steven McConnach and Michael Macaulay with trade support and guidance from Ritchie Douglas, Kevin Budge and Ally Webster. They were supported by
apprentice training manager Jim Swan and Colin Cormack, the school's
football coach.

The school project was in addition to support of �50,000 announced last year by Dounreay for the Pulteneytown regeneration project to mark the 50th anniversary of the site.