Walking into the record books

Everyone involved with St Mary's Catholic Primary School took part in a special walking bus.

The 239 children, staff and guests walked at least 500m from its entrance in Glamis Street along Church Path towards Hotham Park. Most continued to the park's fish pond. The others returned to school.

The walking bus with a difference formed part of the road safety charity Brake's latest record-breaking day for the biggest walking bus in the world.

Brake's ambition was to have 80,000 children taking part at 10am last Wednesday. A collection of loose change was also held for the charity.

Parent governors Julie Baitup and Bridget Croucher arranged the occasion as part of the school's travel plan to encourage children to walk safely to school.

The school has operated a daily walking bus from Hotham Park car park for three years. Between five and 15 children join in each summer day, with 5-10 in the winter.

An initiative of the past two months also sees Mrs Baitup lead a Wednesday morning '˜walk with me' session from the Lobster Pot on Felpham seafront. Five children and their families usually turn up.

She said: 'It's lovely to walk along the seafront in the mornings.

'I allow up to half an hour for the walk, though we normally get to school quicker than that.

'The children arrive at school healthier and more relaxed than being driven here.'

A similar walk brings in about five pupils along the Aldwick seafront.

It is hoped to start the scheme soon from North Bersted.

Each of these initiatives helps to reduce the number of cars using the congested residential roads around the school. The walking buses only operate before lessons because the children's finishing times differ through various after school activities.