Our five-foot bears will soon be ready to paint

The Bear Mania Schools Programme

Sandie Isherwood reports

The Bear Mania Schools Programme has had an unprecedented response from local schools in Congleton. The Bear Mania team would like to thank  the Congleton Community Educational Partnership (CeCP) for supporting this youth programme; now, Congleton can look forward to an explosion of creativity as each of the school bears are put on public display throughout the forthcoming summer months.

Paul Bates of the Bear Mania team said: "We're delighted to see so many schools have adopted a bear as it was the children of Congleton's idea to put art into our community. This will ensure thousands of pupils will be plugging into our Bear Mania Trail this summer playing a major part in creating a very special Congleton experience for locals and tourists alike. I'm sure the bears will spark a huge amount of creative energy in Congleton's children, as well as spreading important messages to families across the town that teamwork matters as together everyone achieves more."

The first of the bears, adopted by Congleton schools, nurseries and children’s centres, arrive on January 25th 2011. Their arrival marks the start of a stream of exciting creative activity taking place throughout the town  as part of the Bear Mania project. Pupils are given the opportunity to name and decorate their school’s very own 5 foot bear to be displayed in Congleton and the surrounding area. 

As the official sponsor of the Bear Mania school programme, Plus Dane Housing is supporting the collection and siting of the schools bears during the project.

Congratulations to the schools taking part:

• Astbury St. Mary's Primary School, Congleton
• Blackfirs Primary School, Congleton
• Bosley St. Mary's Primary School, Bosley
• Buglawton Primary School, Congleton
• Castle Primary School, Mow Cop
• Cheekies Day Nursery, Congleton
• Congleton Children's Centre, Congleton
• Congleton High School, Congleton
• Daven Primary School, Congleton
• Eaton Bank High School, Congleton
• Havannah Primary School, Congleton
• Marlfields Nursery & Primary School, Congleton
• Marton & District Church of England Primary School, Marton, Congleton
• Mossley CofE Primary School, Congleton
• The Quinta Primary School, Congleton
• Scholar Green Primary School, scholar Green
• Smallwood CoE Primary School, Smallwood
• Woodcocks Wells Primary School, Mow Cop