Burghclere school pupils mark official start of construction of new Bewley housing development in Bishops Green

Pupils from a North Hampshire school helped marked the official start of construction of a new housing development, writes Maisie Day.

The Burghclere Primary School pupils marked the major milestone as Bewley Homes officially commenced construction on the development at Princess Gardens, Bishop’s Green.

Year 4, 5 and 6 children, accompanied by school administration manager Vanessa Pummell, took part in a special ground-breaking ceremony led by Bewley Homes managing director Andrew Brooks.

The aim of the visit was to engage the young learners in what was happening at the site.

Bewley’s senior site manager, Bill Fisher, has worked for the company for more than 25 years and was on hand to offer the pupils an exclusive tour of the site, offering valuable insight into the construction process.

Mr Brooks said: “We invite primary school children to our sites because we want to spark their excitement and curiosity about housebuilding from an early age.

“It’s a bit like how a marching band inspires interest in the military – we’re planting the seed for them to see the construction industry as a rewarding and meaningful future career.”

Mr Brooks added that he was excited that they would be “inviting the school back when [they] launch [their] show home later in the summer”.

Burghclere Primary School headteacher Beulah Letchford thanked the company for the opportunity and said pupils had thoroughly enjoyed their involvement in the event.

She highlighted how the experience provided valuable insight into the process of housebuilding and said they all looked forward to revisiting the site once the show home is completed.