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Community Involvement

Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Essex opens new classroom building at South Benfleet Primary School

Face painting and balloon twisting were just two of the fun activities that children of South Benfleet Primary School enjoyed as part of the official opening celebrations of a new classroom block on 24 April 2009. Lakehouse sponsored the event as a thank you to all the children for their co-operation throughout the building work. Lenny Lakehouse, company mascot, was also on hand to welcome the children to the new facilities funded by Essex County Council.

The 30 week project to provide two new classrooms and shared kitchen area and toilet facilities included installation of a canopy to the external play areas, providing much needed shade and shelter from sun and rain.

The day started with speeches in the school hall, after which Dominic Carver, Headteacher, presented our Site Manager with a framed certificate to thank the Lakehouse team for their hard work throughout the project. Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Canon John Spence OBE, was special guest and hosted the ribbon cutting ceremony. John is a local celebrity, chairman of Action for Blind People and chairman of Vitalise, a national charity providing short breaks and respite care for disabled people, visually impaired people and carers. No doubt it was his influence that inspired many of the boys to ask the balloon twister to create swords for them later that day.

The celebrations were rounded off nicely with a fantastic celebratory tea of home made cakes and scones, courtesy of some of the school staff, and much enjoyed by all.