YOUNGSTERS from a Selby primary school got the chance to name a new street next to their school.
The pupils of Barwic Parade Community School helped Yorkshire Housing to name a new affordable housing development, using the town’s local history for inspiration.
The housing development on the Abbots Road Estate will provide 11 affordable family homes and a Mission Hall for the community on the former St Richard’s church site.
Cameron Healer, 11, was the overall winner with his choice of Swan’s Way.
Cameron chose the name because swans have great historical significance in the history of Selby Abbey, and appear on the Selby crest and the school badge.
Paul Atkins, senior development project manager at Yorkshire Housing, said: “We worked with the school to talk to pupils about the dangers of building sites, but were very keen to keep them get involved in the new development and its future.
“The pupils began brainstorming the history of the area and came up with three great names which all have some real meaning behind them; it was a very difficult decision for us to pick the winner.”
In second and third place were Ryan Collins, ten, with Viking’s Lane, based on the town’s origins and Oliwier Josefiak, 11, with King Henry Road after Henry I, son of William the Conqueror, who was born in Selby.
Yorkshire Housing presented all the young finalists with certificates and book tokens for their contribution.
Ian Chadwick, the school’s head teacher, said: “Selby has a rich history and it was a fantastic opportunity for the children to learn more about their town and be involved in choosing a name for the new development.
“We had a lot of fun thinking of names and it will be something that the pupils can go on to tell their own children and grandchildren about in the future.”
The site is being developed by Yorkshire Housing in partnership with Selby District Council and Selby Abbey. The scheme is due to completed in December.
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