21/01/04 - Equality for All

Tomorrow (22ndJanuary) schoolchildren from Heron Hill School and Castle Park School in Kendal will officially witness the three Political Group Leaders of Cumbria County Council sign up to a new Equality and Diversity Policy. Rex Toft, Conservative; Mike Ash, Liberal Democrat and Stewart Young, Labour will sign a certificate outlining the policy following a debate at a meeting of the County Council in Kendal. The signing, expected to take place at around 12.45pm will be held at County Offices, Stricklandgate, Kendal.

Also on display will be examples of artwork done by children from the two schools inspired by “Ally Comes To Cumbria”, a specially commissioned piece of forum theatre for primary and secondary schools. It tells the story of Ally who arrives from Manchester to start a new school in Cumbria. Ally is black and faces different reactions from the pupils and teachers. A workshop following each performance gives pupils the opportunity to practically explore how the characters could have acted differently. The Theatre is currently touring schools and was recently seen by the children from the schools attending the signing tomorrow.

In addition under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme a question regarding the policy has been tabled by Richard Kavanagh, from Cumbria Outreach and Cumbria Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Alliance. His question will be answered by Deputy Leader of the Council, Mike Ash.

The latest performance of “Ally Comes To Cumbria” will be at Lowther Village Hall on Friday morning, when schoolchildren from a number local schools will be present.