Each year, in support of the worldwide Rotary literacy programme, Barnard Castle Rotarians deliver presentation dictionaries to local primary school leavers to assist them in exploring spellings, and the meanings and derivations of words.

This year some 240 dictionaries have been delivered to 15 primary schools across Teesdale and were warmly received by both pupils and teaching staff. Some of the schools involved include Staindrop C of E Primary School, Middleton-in-Teesdale Primary School, Cotherstone Primary School and Evenwood C of E Primary School.

Mrs Stacey Rand, Deputy Head Teacher at Evenwood C of E Primary School reflected the views of many schools when she said, “We very much appreciate this kind gift each year. The dictionaries will be presented to the children at our annual leaver’s assembly which will, as always, be an emotional occasion for children, parents and staff.”