School in raptures after winning peregrine falcon chick naming competition

Big cheer as pupils at Smithy Bridge Primary School celebrate naming one of the Peregrine Falcon Chicks, with Councillor Janet Emsley

Children at Smithy Bridge Primary School are flying high after again winning the council’s ‘name the peregrine falcon chick’ competition.

This year’s winning choice was the inspired idea of Class 4 pupil Evie Law who wowed judges with her choice of ‘BuckBeak’, a character from the Harry Potter novels.

The winning prize was a £20 voucher to spend at Rochdale Town Hall’s splendid Clock Tower Restaurant, which sits beneath the birds’ nest box, followed by a guided tour of the borough’s most historic building.

Hundreds of entries had winged in from across the borough and beyond, leaving judges with the envious task of choosing three lucky winners.

As well as ‘BuckBeak’ the other winning entries were ‘Striker’ and ‘Kevin Beakon’.

All three chicks have now flown their Rochdale Town Hall nest. Birding experts have reported that they are thriving in the wild.

Joanne Ramsbottom, a teacher at the school, said: “The children have loved watching the falcons on the council’s live webcam. It has been a privilege to have been part of something so special within our local area. We are looking forward to entering the competition again next year.”

Councillor Janet Emsley, cabinet member for culture, said: “It was great to see children from across the school entering some brilliant names for the competition.

"Well done to Evie for her excellent choice which was a deserved winner. The falcons have wowed thousands of nature lovers and the camera will be back next year for an even better bird’s eye view of our feathered friends.”