Young and old feature in BUckshaw Village birthday celebrations

Thu, May 29th 2008, 09:30

Pensioners and school children have all played a part in celebrating the fifth anniversary of Buckshaw Village, a new community on the site of the former Royal Ordnance Factory, in Chorley.

A birthday card competition for youngsters and a reunion for ex-ROF Chorley workers have both joined the list of successful birthday festivities, which will culminate in a family fun day this Sunday, June 1st.

Proving the celebrations have no age restrictions and something for everyone, five Chorley youngsters were declared ‘artistic champions’ after designing the winning birthday cards for Buckshaw Village.

The competition, which was open to children living at the award-winning development and pupils from Euxton St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, received over 40 entries but the final victorious budding artists were named as Bethany Reid, Katie Jarvis, Jack Bottoms, Aeden Duckworth and Leona Whitehead. Each received a £50 Toys‘R’Us gift voucher.

At the other end of the age spectrum, a spot of nostalgia and reminiscing was on the agenda as former employees of ROF Chorley – including one 96 year old - came together to share their memories over some afternoon tea.

As well as talking about days gone by working on the factory floor, the guests were also treated to a guided bus tour of Buckshaw Village – allowing them to see first hand, the 21st century transformation of their former workplace.

Lesley Myers, area sales manager for Redrow Homes (Lancashire) says: “The birthday card competition was a great way of involving youngsters in celebrating the success and future of Buckshaw Village, whilst the afternoon tea was a way of acknowledging and respecting the development’s past.

“Both were a big success and we are now looking forward to the grand finale fun day  which is taking place in and around the Redrow marketing suite and show homes complex this Sunday (June 1st) between 12pm - 4am.
“It will involve tethered rides in the Redrow hot air balloon (subject to weather), a hot dog van, a children’s entertainer and a bouncy castle – and the good news is everybody is invited!”

Buckshaw Village is creating a mixed use community of around 2,000 new homes, businesses, shops and leisure amenities on the old ROF Chorley site.
For further details of the family fun day on Sunday, June 1st or Redrow homes available at Buckshaw Village call 01772 432 006 or visit the onsite marketing suite off Dawson’s Lane.

For online information about the development go to www.redrow.co.uk