Redrow joins rocky roadshow in Cirencester

Children in Cirencester are learning that ‘Gravel is Great’, thanks to Redrow and the Cotswold Water Park Society.

The rocky roadshow, Gravel is Great, is being delivered in schools by the trust, with Redrow sponsoring sessions in schools close to its Centuria development in Cirencester.

Under the guidance of Jill Bewley, events and education officer for the Cotswold Water Park Society, children were able to excavate gravel, search for fossils and Roman remains in mini gravel pits.

They also worked to restore the pits, into campsites, nature reserves, country parks and watersports centres. The pupils had to make decisions about where to locate buildings, wildlife areas, trees and activities, taking into account real life issues such as safety, disabled access and litter.

Jill said: “The history and landscape of the Cotswold Water Park provides a wealth of topics for study. Through the Gravel is Great rocky roadshow, pupils can gain a greater understanding of what lies beneath their feet, how and why the area has changed, how it affects their lives and how it will look in the future.”

Barry Stiles, sales director for Redrow Homes (South West), commented: “The construction of new Redrow homes at Centuria in Cirencester features in the Gravel is Great educational DVD – showing one of the end uses of the gravel that is extracted from the area - and we were only too happy to sponsor the sessions in schools in the surrounding area to help children learn about their local landscape.”

At Cirencester Junior School, Redrow sales co-ordinator Hayley Zaple and site manager Geoff Worthington also talked to the children about the varied range of jobs available in the new homes industry.

Barry said: “It was pleasing to hear that the children enjoyed the miniature bricklaying but there are other jobs within the new homes industry other than physically building homes – including opportunities in sales, marketing, planning, legal work and accountancy.”

For more information about Redrow, including career opportunities, visit: redrow.co.uk

Details about the Cotswold Water Park Society are available at: waterpark.org