The North of England’s gas distributer, Northern Gas Networks (NGN), has presented Carleton Primary School in Pontefract with seven murals following a nine-week project to replace old gas pipes.

The project to replace over a kilometre of ageing metal gas mains with new, more durable plastic pipes, took place on Carleton Park Road, Sides Road, Robson Close and Pease Close in the autumn of 2016.

NGN’s community artist, Mick Hand, worked closely with the school throughout the scheme. And after showing the children a short presentation on the work NGN carries out, Mick delivered a workshop to the children on the importance of staying safe around road works.

Carleton Primary school students and teachers with Community artist Mick Hand (front left) and Customer Care Officer Katherine Lee (front right) stand with the murals the children created.

For this art project, Mick worked with all year groups, with each year sketching and designing their own mural to represent what they like about the school. In total, seven have now been produced and will be displayed outside the school’s main entrance.

Mick said: “’The kids have been involved from the initial sketchbook ideas to painting the finished boards, that will hang near the main entrance. It has been lovely to work closely with the whole school.’’

The Pontefract works were registered as a Considerate Constructor Scheme site, and as part of the Scheme’s pledges, NGN’s Customer Care team visited local schools and charities to explore ways of making a difference to the lives of people living where engineers are working.

Rebecca Rowett, Head Teacher of Carleton Primary School, said: “As a school, we couldn’t have wished for more from our work with Mick. He listened to our vision, worked with the children and helped us produce a striking entrance to school which has more than met, if not exceeded, our expectations.

 Carleton Park Primary School Year 4 pupils and their murals in Pontefract, West Yorks.

“This really has been a community project with every child involved, from the designing process through to the finished project. We can’t wait for our next project to come to fruition under his excellent guidance and commitment!’’

Anyone that smells gas or suspects Carbon Monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. This line is in operation 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.