Walking Bus 2004 record attempt
Ex-Eastenders star leads pupils from 18 schools to biggest walking bus in the county.
The success of the school Walking Bus scheme across Kent has been celebrated in Canterbury with a record-breaking achievement. A bid to create the county's biggest Walking Bus attracted 18 schools from Canterbury, Dover, Ashford, Shepway, Thanet and Medway. Together the children numbered 220 which smashed last year's effort of 120.
On Saturday, the pupils and their helpers sang an impromptu Walking Bus song as they walked from Longport to the forecourt of the Marlowe Theatre. The procession, which was headed by ex-EastEnders actor Shaun Williamson, Andy Pandy and the KM-fm's Kool Kat, was greeted by new Lord Mayor Cllr Martin Vye.
He praised the children and parents for doing their bit to keep the roads clearer and the atmosphere cleaner. The event was organised by the Kent and Medway Walking Bus Group, which is championing walking to school as the best way to cut the numbers of cars on the road and keep children safe and healthy.
Certificates were awarded to Maxine Standen from Briary School in Herne Bay and Sam Stone from Medway's Hilltop Walking Bus scheme to mark their schemes' third birthdays. There were also second birthday certificates for Wingham and Tenterden Primary Schools. But for the children there was not only the excitement of circus stilt walkers and other entertainment, but the chance to win some fabulous prizes in a raffle. They included two bicycles donated by Downland Cycles and a Playstation 2.
Family tickets for the Marlowe Theatre were won by Lee Bennett, a parent from St Stephen's School in Canterbury, while Sheila Boyson, a parent at Blean school, collected a rally jacket and a car service voucher from Canterbury Suzuki.
The Kent Messenger Group-backed Walking Bus project has been increasing in strength and gaining support from the business community since the first scheme was launched at Briary Primary School more than three years ago. Organiser Simon Dolby said: "It was a fantastic turnout and we were delighted so many children, parents and teachers came from so far away to help us break the record.
"The event helps raise the profile of the Walking Bus scheme and I think our sponsors recognise that they are supporting something very special. "There are so many benefits from walking to school and when you get an effort like Blean primary, which is about to launch its fourth Walking Bus, that really starts to impact on cutting traffic."
When city council road safety officer Sheila Flynn joined the Walking Bus celebration she was not expecting it to be a life-changing occasion. But in front of hundreds of children, parents and organisers, her partner of seven years chose the moment to 'pop the question'. County council highways engineer Chris Rogers got down on one knee on the steps of the Marlowe Theatre, to ask for her hand in marriage. The proposal was tearfully accepted by Sheila, which was met with cheers and applause from the amazed spectators.
The couple, who are both 38 and live in Ashford, met at work. Chris said: "I did suggest getting married once before but we were in a jewellers shop and she said I was only doing it because I felt under pressure. So this time I decided she would know I meant it and, thankfully, she accepted." Sheila said: "It was a complete surprise. I will never forget this day."
Schools which took part in the Walking Bus event were: Canterbury area: Sturry, Briary, Blean, Wincheap, Reculver, Wingham, St Stephen's Just Kidding After School Club. Ashford/Shepway: John Mayne (Biddenden), Tenterden, Hamstreet, Mundella, Folkestone. Dover: St Mary's, Shatterlocks. Medway: Gordon, Hilltop, St Nicholas. Thanet: Minster, Draper's Mill, Margate.
Pictures from top to bottom: Big bus parade; M Nichols gets bike; Birthday certificates from Argyl & Suzuki; Shaun leads Big Bus 2004.
Feel free to contact us...
