STUDENTS in Otley have been having a go at everything from gardening to preparing meals for toddlers.

Year 10 pupils from from Prince Henry’s Grammar School used their 2019 Timanyane (Global Citizenship) Day to offer assistance to community groups, schools and churches across town.

Students worked with Leeds City Council Park Rangers, Otley in Bloom, Otley Courthouse, Ashfield Primary School, The Whartons Primary School and St Joseph’s Primary School, Otley Town Council, Wildlife Friendly Otley and The Bridge Church.

The tasks they undertook on the day were varied and saw some teaming up with Park Rangers to embark on ‘bracken bashing’ and weeding on Otley Chevin.

Others collaborated with Otley in Bloom volunteers in helping to create decorative planters for a local retirement home.

Students also supported an activity day at Ashfield Primary which was organised by Wildlife Friendly Otley, where the children were encouraged to give their school a ‘wildlife makeover’ and take part in a variety of fun, and educational, activities.

Elsewhere, volunteers from Prince Henry’s Grammar School were busy helping with a Toddler Group at The Bridge Church, where the work involved preparing meals.

Students also undertook digging and other duties at the Town Council’s allotments, assisted at Otley Courthouse and performed a variety of maintenance tasks for several other primary schools.

Assistant Headteacher: Learning Community at Prince Henry’s, Chris Lillington, had organised the day and was pleased with how it turned out.

He said: “Our links with the community are very important to us and we always try to impress on our students that global citizenship begins at home.

“Many of our students already volunteer locally and this day really helps us to develop their sense of citizenship.

“Our students enjoy the opportunity to learn more about the place in which they live and the people they share it with, as well as building their skills and confidence whilst trying something new.

“We are very pleased that this initiative is growing each year.”