PUPILS from a Fartown school gave up much of their half-term holiday to give a treat to local pensioners.

It was part of a bid by pupils and staff at the new North Huddersfield Trust school to build community links.

Some 45 members of Agewell Kirklees went along to a pop-up restaurant at Fartown Village Hall and were treated to a slap-up lunch cooked and served by the schoolchildren.

The delicious three-course meal consisted of carrot and coriander soup followed by either chicken chasseur with mashed potatoes and vegetables or vegetable biryani. This was rounded off with a choice of sponge cake or apple crumble with ice cream.

Twenty-six 11 to 13-year-olds from North Huddersfield Trust School, formerly Fartown High School, gave up two days of their holiday to learn how to cook the food and a further day to decorate the Ballroyd Road centre, then prepare and serve their culinary efforts.

They were helped by three catering students from Kirklees College.

The event was a collaboration between national educational charity University of the First Age, Agewell Kirklees and the new North Huddersfield Trust School, which is keen to develop close links with all age groups across their local community.

One of the guests, Tahira Tasleem, said: “It has been excellent, The food tasted very good. The children did their job really well and worked extremely hard.”

Semia Hussain, 12, said: “It has been a good experience working for the older generation. They are all so kind and polite.”

William Smith-Hayes, 11, agreed. He admitted it had been a “a bit annoying” having to give up so much of his holiday, but added that it had been worth it. He said: “It has been exciting and it was worthwhile. The best bit was when I got to take the photos.”

Agewell’s Graham Hellawell said: “The children have been absolutely magnificent and everyone has really enjoyed it. It has been a good experience all round.

“This has really created a community vibe and brought together people with a range of ages and from a number of cultural backgrounds. It has worked really well and our hope is that we can do more like it in the future.

“Most impressive is how the kids have given up half of their half term, it has been very, very impressive. They have been fantastic and they are role models for kids all over the district.”