Today David Warburton, Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for Somerton and Frome, together with Peter Knibbs, Conservative District Councillor for the Beckington and Selwood Ward, delivered a cheque for £1321.90 to Berkley First School.
Councillor Peter Knibbs explained, “The grant comes from Mendip District Council’s Community Environment Fund. Each District Councillor has been allocated £2000 from the government’s New Homes Bonus to use at his or her discretion, over a period of two years, towards a local cause or organisation which is considered to socially or economically enhance the environment of the ward.”
“Last month David Warburton delivered a survey to every household in Frome and local villages, asking for their opinions on local issues and amenities. A huge number of people returning the survey to David mentioned Berkley First School and stressed the importance of the school to the local community. So when the school’s Parents Association group (Friends of Berkley School) applied for the funds, I spoke to David and decided to allocate this funding to them.”
The Friends of Berkley School (FBS) will use the £1321 to purchase one large 16-seater table plus 10 smaller activity tables so that students can properly participate in Breakfast Club, church activities, community activities and after-school clubs, and therefore to free-up other space at the school.
Located on the outskirts of Frome, Berkley First School was founded in 1818 as a private Church of England school at Berkley Old Rectory. It was registered as a public elementary school in 1864 and was Voluntary Aided until 1952 when it was handed over to Somerset County Council and became Voluntary Controlled. In 2003 the school became Voluntary Aided again, allowing the governing body more options for funding. Today, led by Head teacher Mrs. Brautigan, Berkley First School caters for 97 children between the ages of four and nine, most of whom transfer to Selwood Academy or Oakfield Academy in Frome at aged nine.