Lesson in building gets bishop's blessing

YOUNGSTERS welcomed a special guest to bless their school after a £350,000 refurbishment.

The Bishop of Salford, the Rt Rev Terence Brain, attended the celebration assembly at St Columba's school, Ripley Street, Tonge Moor, where 175 pupils and staff have had to put up with nine months of building work as their school was torn apart and rebuilt with the addition of new classrooms, offices, nursery and reception areas.

Mrs Noreen Collins, headmistress, said: "We have lived with noise and dust on a daily basis but the children and staff have been brilliant and we have not lost a single day's teaching. The builders have been here so long, they are now our friends." It was the first major change at the school since it was built in 1938 and there are plans for more alterations to improve the environment for the children.

Greeting the Bishop are, from left: Katie Hill, Sam Lever, Gemma Hanley, Emily Lloyd, Lewis Balshaw and Kirsty .