TWO fathers have gone back to school to help their children recreate an event first staged 40 years ago.

Peter Bell, 46 and Gary Parnaby, 48, both from Bowburn, planted a commemorative tree at the village junior school to mark its opening in 1975.

Unfortunately, the tree needed to be removed to make way for a 40-home development to the south of Oakfield Crescent.

So the Durham Villages Regeneration Company (DVRC) arranged for a replacement tree which Peter and Gary, together with their children Lucy and Scott, both seven, planted as part of the school’s 40th anniversary.

Head teacher, Jackie Glass: “Although it was unfortunate that the original tree had to go, it was to allow positive change in the village and DVRC immediately agreed to provide a replacement.

“This gave us the opportunity to recreate the commemorative planting with the next generation. It was a lovely event which brought everyone together.”

The company has also provided disposable cameras for a project in which pupils were challenged to capture images of their village during the half-term holidays which will go on display later this year.

Mrs Glass added: “This is a great way to get pupils to think about their village and what aspects of it are special to them.

“Pupils have enjoyed the school’s 40th birthday celebrations and finding out about the history of the school, as well as considering the changing face of the village.”

DVRC, a partnership between Durham County Council and private developer Keepmoat, is spending £5m on The Meadows development of two, three and four bedroomed homes for sale and rent.