Rolling out of lockdown at Derry primary school

Lending a socially-distanced hand to the team from Hawthorn Heights Ltd, as they prepare for the full return to school next week at Faughanvale PS are, from left, brother and sister Ben and Hollie Craig, Olivia McGuinness, Danny Rankin and Charlie McKeever.

Kids from a local school have rolled out of lockdown by lending a helping hand in the installation of a new 3G play area.

Designed by Greysteel-based playground, sports pitch and landscaping specialists, Hawthorn Height Ltd, the new 3G MUGA at Faughanvale PS has been installed just in time for the full reopening of the school next week.

Hawthorn Heights Director Steven McGuinness said: “We were delighted to get the kids involved in the installation as they prepare to get back to school. They are rolling out of lockdown with a state-of-the-art, fully contained MUGA. The play area was custom designed for Faughanvale Primary School - for general play and sport, particularly netball in order to inspire their little champions.

“It’s brilliant to see the children getting back to school and, hopefully, this new facility will bring them all great joy throughout their school days.”

Mr McGuinness said Hawthorn Heights Ltd has experienced unusually brisk trade during the lockdown, as the education sector and others “shift the emphasis to increased outdoor activities”.

“We have delivered more than 600 designs and successful build projects over the last five years and the lockdown has seen our sales increase by between 35% and 40%. The unprecedented surge in business is largely the result of a general desire for increased outdoor activity facilities to help promote wellbeing in these testing times and for the future,” he added.