n After-school club wows national competition judges with green-themed motorbike

BUDDING bike mechanics from a Latchford primary school rode off with five trophies at a national competition.

The Bolton Bikers Club at Alderman Bolton Primary School were victorious at the National Youthbike Competition.

The year six pupils designed a ‘Recycle’ motorbike, a green-themed electric scooter which runs on a clean low emission electric battery.

The after-school club then dismantled the bike to rebuild it and develop basic tool skills and kept a detailed portfolio of the transformation.

The team’s first taste of competition with their green dream machine was at the third Warrington Wheels under 18’s Bike show in Grappenhall.

Then they took it to the National Youthbike Competition in Lincolnshire as the only primary school in the country to compete.

And they triumphed with five awards and a runner-up spot in the restoration category and first place in the alternative fuel category.

Todd Cook won the best male mechanic at the event and Emily Farrington the best female mechanic. James Buckley-Mellor also won the ‘young photographer award’.

Teacher Liz Towler said: “We are incredibly proud of the team. They have worked so hard to create the bike.

“The project created an enormous sense of team spirit and boosted the students’ confidence immensely.

“Not only have they developed practical skills through using basic tools, but they have also used their English, ICT, art and maths skills to great effect.

“The pupils have led the project every step of the way, from designing, dismantling and rebuilding the motorcycle to making collaborative decisions.

“We were so impressed to see them conversing confidently with the judges and proudly explaining about the creation of their entry.”

Visit youthbike.com/ or Warrington Wheels at bobsbikeclasses.co.uk.