Spennymoor Scrolls

Sportsman Allan Gregson, 59, claimed top honours representing England at the World New Age Kurling Championships.

And Kirk Merrington Primary School secretary, Lesley Smith, for her unique way of creating new educational space for youngsters, which led to the creation of “Teletubby Hill”.

Allan gained two victories as England beat Scotland at the East Kilbride contest. A member of the Wear Valley Kurling Club, he won the singles section of the competition before teaming up with Bob Jackson, of Willington, to win the doubles category, and is now aiming to compete in the British Open Championships, in Widnes, Merseyside, in October.

Lesley won a competition for two train carriages, which she located within school grounds by the playground. With the school oversubscribed, and having received excellent Ofsted ratings, the carriages created much-needed educational space.

Lesley has a philosophy that if every child dreams they can achieve, so the project was named ‘Dare to Dream’ and she persuaded the community and local contractors to help with the creation of the new classroom and construction of what is affectionately known as ‘Teletubby Hill’, a ramp using natural contours to access the train floor level.