Schoolchildren in Irvine are working on a hat-trick of imaginative projects designed to ensure they put their mark on the ongoing £25 million regeneration of the town centre.

Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, who are carrying out the regeneration work in partnership with North Ayrshire Council, are behind plans to breathe new life into the landmark Trinity Church.

Much work has already been carried out to enable the listed building to once again become a focal point for the town – and the regeneration company has put together three projects under their Regeneration Youth initiative to let local young people play their part.

Trinity Carvings

Local pupils are being given the opportunity to work with professionals to design column capitols for the church.

The column capitols under the gallery were left plain when the church was built, so that they could be carved at times of significant moments in the life of the building. Now the current restoration of the historic building provides the ideal opportunity to involve local young people in an exciting project which will enhance their learning and enable them to contribute to a significant regeneration project.


Trinity Weathervane

Schools and youth groups have been set the challenge to design a new, modern weathervane and crown stone for the spire of Trinity Church.

The project involves young people in developing design solutions which celebrate the new life of the church as a prominent landmark for regeneration in the town centre.

Trinity Stained Glass

Working alongside experts, schools are competing to design two new stained glass windows for the Church.

The winning designs will be manufactured and installed at the front of the church, highly visible to passers-by through the Bridgegate area.

The winning designs from the competition will become a prominent feature of the newly refurbished Bridgegate. Patrick Wiggins, Chief Executive of Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, said: "We are in the process of collecting designs from a number of schools for all three projects, ready for judging by a panel of experts towards the end of May. The winners can then follow the progress of their designs as they become reality.

"We want the young people of Irvine to be involved in the future of their town centre, and leave a lasting legacy. In addition, the pupils benefit from learning core skills.

"Our Regeneration Youth strategy is about actively engaging the young people of Irvine Bay in the future of their area. The projects we develop are designed to connect local young people with regeneration both in and out of the classroom, and help them benefit directly from it."

All the projects are designed to support Curriculum for Excellence, providing an ideal opportunity for young people to develop skills for work by meeting a real design brief and following industrial process guidelines.

(GK)