Chefs' support for primary school's campaign is a recipe for success (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Chefs' support for North Cerney Big Project is a recipe for success

3:30pm Friday 22nd February 2013 in News By Laura Shack

CELEBRITY chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has backed a big fundraising project at his former Cotswold primary school.

The renowned chef and ex-pupil of North Cerney Primary School has joined The Cotswold Chef, Rob Rees, in contributing to a fundraising recipe book for the school.

All the proceeds will go towards a campaign to raise £75,000 for a much-needed new assembly hall, which will cost £150,000 in total.

So far more than £30,000 has been raised towards the target and it is hoped that this will help the school bid for a further £75,000 in grant money from Gloucestershire County Council at the end of this month.

Headteacher Jane Burr said this project was the first of several phases to enhance the school, which has been educating local children since 1843.

"If we had our own hall space our PE curriculum could be developed a lot further," Mrs Burr said.

"We also want to develop a kitchen space in the school. If this project goes ahead we will move our kitchen space and it will become a designated space for children to learn life skills."

Along with a few of the celebrity chefs’ top recipes, the North Cerney School recipe book also contains scores of family favourites from parents, teachers and local villagers.

Copies are available at Octavia’s Bookshop on Black Jack Street in Cirencester.

Find out more and make a donation at northcerneybigproject.com, or send a cheque to the school, made payable to North Cerney School Big Project.

• A 'Big Quiz' in aid of the North Cerney Big Project will be held at North Cerney Village Hall on Friday, March 1 from 7.30pm. Book a table for six people at £7.50 per person, with chilli and drinks, by contacting Jennifer Forde on 01285 831193 or at jenniferforde@hotmail.co.uk