CHILDREN from Winkleigh Primary School have been working towards a brighter, greener and fairer future. Members of Winkleigh primary school's 'green group,' who meet weekly at lunch times to discuss and raise awareness of the latest green issues, recently attended the North Devon Schools Climate Change Conference at South Molton Town Hall. The key note speaker, Phil Williams from Planet Eco, inspired the children, helped them understand why they must respect all species and outlined how we are all interdependent. Becky Risdon from Winkleigh, aged nine, said: 'We learned that oil is running out and that nearly everything in our life is oil based and we had to imagine life without it.' Fellow student Jemima Western added: 'We learned that we have to watch what we are buying and know where it comes from.' Their teacher, Naomi Alexander, said: 'The conference was pitched at just the right level for our nine year olds. 'It was a busy day with lots of challenging thinking and learning for us all. 'We were very proud of the contribution our children made in the workshops.' The green group have helped the school gain the Eco Silver Award and are now working on Fairtrade status. To help them do this they will be celebrating 'Fairtrade Fortnight' and World Book Week at the same time. Between March 3 and March 7 the school will be holding a series of special events. Children will hear stories in the 'story tent,' work with author Tanya Landman and drama specialist Rob Pudner. The public is invited to special Fairtrade cafes in the school from 3.30pm until 5pm on March 6 and March 7. Children will be dressed as book characters and selling Fairtrade cakes and drinks. There will also be a book fayre at the same time.
