BRINGING LOCAL DEMOCRACY TO LIFE FOR NEWBURY’S YOUNG PEOPLE
Newbury Town Council has been helping local school pupils discover how their town is run and how they can play a part in shaping its future, with a popular programme of visits as part of Local Democracy Week.
The initiative welcomed 264 pupils from nine different schools across 11 sessions, giving young people the opportunity to learn more about the work of the Town Council, the role of councillors and how decisions are made on behalf of the local community. The strong participation highlights the enthusiasm among local schools for helping pupils understand how local democracy works.
During interactive sessions at the Town Hall, pupils met councillors, took part in discussions and explored the building, including a visit to the Mayor’s Parlour. They also had the chance to try on councillors’ robes and learn about some of the fascinating people, traditions and events that have helped shape Newbury’s history.
Cllr Jo Day, Mayor of Newbury, said, “It’s always a pleasure to meet young people through our Local Democracy activities. They ask some fantastic questions and show real enthusiasm for finding out more about how their town is run.
“We hope these visits help pupils understand how local decisions affect their everyday lives and encourage them to take an interest in their community.
Today’s pupils are tomorrow’s voters, and who knows – we may even have future Town Councillors or a Mayor among them!
Newbury Town Council is keen to encourage young people to learn more about local government, understand how they can make their voices heard and feel part of the decisions that help shape Newbury’s future.
Speenhamland Primary School attended the sessions and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, with one teacher saying, “The children really enjoyed all the activities and especially enjoyed trying on the Councillor’s robes. There were lots of learning opportunities too about our local area, thank you!”
