A group of West Bridgford schoolchildren got a taste of life behind the scenes at Nottinghamshire County Council during a special visit to County Hall.
The youngsters from Edwalton Primary School were given an insight into the inner workings of county council business by Chairman, Councillor Roger Jackson, and Councillor Jonathan Wheeler, their local councillor and division member for West Bridgford South.
During their tour of County Hall, which was organised by Councillor Wheeler, they enjoyed lunch in the Chairman’s Civic Suite, signed the visitors’ book, heard about the history of the iconic building, and took part in a question-and-answer session with the two councillors inside the Council Chamber.
They were also given an opportunity to wear the Chairman’s chains, while each pupil received a commemorative pen from Councillor Jackson to mark their visit.
Cllr Jonathan Wheeler told The Wire: ‘I was delighted to welcome Edwalton School and they had some great questions for myself and the chairman!
“I have brought along a few of my schools now to the Council and the children always say they have had a great day.’
Councillor Jackson said: “Here at Nottinghamshire County Council we always enjoy welcoming youngsters from our schools to County Hall, giving them an opportunity to find out more about how local democracy works as well as learn about the history of our historic headquarters.
“It goes without saying that I was delighted to see the youngsters take a real interest in the work we do as a council and as councillors, and it was really good fun for us to be grilled by them in the Chamber on a whole host of different issues.
“Who knows, hopefully, we may have inspired some of them to become even more interested in politics – especially at grassroots level such as local government. I hope they enjoyed their visit as much as we did hosting them.”
Teacher Claire Dickinson said the pupils really enjoyed their visit to County Hall.
She said: “The children had a fantastic time, from a lovely lunch to a tour of the Council and a question-and-answer session with the Chairman and Cllr Wheeler.
“It was great to see behind the scenes of a working council, comparing it to the works of our School Council and is something the children will remember for a long time to come.
It was such a fantastic experience for all the children, and we are so grateful for the opportunity.”
The tour was the 12th by a Nottinghamshire school in the last 12 months. Any school which would like to visit County Hall should contact their local county councillor here.
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