Preparations are well under way at Dalbeattie Primary to mark the coronation of King Charles.
There will be three consecutive days of fun activities in school during the week leading up to the coronation weekend.
There will be a themed treasure hunt in the school grounds with children in mixed ages, in keeping with a spirit of community feeling and team work.
This will be followed the next day by a Coronation Capers activity morning where classes will move round fun activities in a potted sports style event.
Finally, on the Friday, there will be a whole school large picnic outside, weather permitting.
Then, on Monday, May 8 it is the Big Help Out day.
This is an extra bank holiday when people are encouraged to volunteer for their local community.
The school pupil council is organising an event which aims at bringing the whole community together.
A trail map of the town will be available for people to follow to see the decorated houses, windows or gardens of families of some of the schoolchildren.
There will be a chance to vote for a favourite.
Moreover, there will be information to gather at each map location for a quiz element.
During the activity, people are encouraged to do one good deed for the local community.
That might mean: donating to Dalbeattie food bank; donating a little extra money to Kippford RNLI (perhaps by visiting the shop in person to donate while the crew carry out their exercises) or to Dalbeattie First Responders; or simply picking up some litter along the way (bags will be made available at the starting point at Dalbeattie Primary).
There will be a prize fund for the decorated gardens/houses with prizes for the top three.
There will also be three lucky winners whose returned entry forms from May 8 are pulled out of the hat.
The school is grateful to the Coronation Committee for supporting the prize fund of £100 and also to Dalbeattie Spar who have donated a £50 voucher.
The entry forms, which are £1 each (proceeds to be split between Dalbeattie First Responders and Kippford RNLI), will be available in Dalbeatti, in the week leading up to the Coronation weekend from Wednesday May 3, as follows: McCowans; Spar; Londis bottom of High Street; Co-op and Dalbeattie Community Initiative visitor information point.
Please note that some of these places may not be open on the actual day of May 8 but the shops will be.
Meanwhile, the school’s older eco committee members are also busy preparing their entry for the Keep Scotland Beautiful’s One Planet Picnic Pocket garden competition.
They have been shortlisted, based on their design ideas, to construct their garden and photograph it ready for showcasing online in May.
The garden is on the theme of celebration so it will focus in the Coronation.
This too is being generously funded by Dalbeattie Spar and the school is hopeful of other local donations.
More information about all the other community events being organised by the Civic Daze committee can be found at www.facebook.com/dalbeattiedaze
