Local charity ACORN had its busiest weekend of the year leading with its ever-popular petting zoo event held at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre last weekend.
The event commenced with a ribbon cutting ceremony officiated by Mrs Susan Robertson, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, who graciously came along at the invitation of Cllr Ken Robson, Deputy Mayor of Great Aycliffe and Chair of ACORN.
Mrs Robertson was delighted to meet members of Newton Aycliffe Women’s Institute and to sample some of their delicious food prior to visiting various charity tombola stalls and meeting some of our furry, feathered, and crawly visitors.
Great Aycliffe Town Council were represented by Mr Steven Cooper, Environment Officer, who enlightened residents of where in our magnificent Town, creatures can be spotted in the wild. Amanda Donald, our Corporate and Policy Officer, was also in attendance to inform the public of services which are provided by our local Town Council and to answer any queries which they may have.
Of course, some of the animals were too large to be displayed in the hall and found themselves a temporary home on the grass adjacent to the leisure centre and caused much excitement to shoppers in the town centre with appearances by a goat, a sheep. rabbits and guinea pigs which enthralled everyone from kiddies to grannies.
Meanwhile back in the Leisure Centre sports hall face painting and glitter artists were busy painting excited children’s faces, and the ever-popular Spotty Dog and Syd the Squirrel were kept busy talking to children and posing for pictures.
As always, my grateful thanks to all our volunteers without whom we couldn’t operate this hugely successful event.
Anyone wishing to join us on our little adventures or participate in our town wide group will be welcomed at our monthly meetings which are held in the upstairs lounge of the Phoenix Club on the second Thursday of the month at 6pm, as advertised in the Newton News.
Ken Robson Chair ACORN Community Association
01325 321471 or 07443 046804
