A GREAT shame to read such negative comments from Sidemoor councillor Dave Pardoe concerning the great gates that now grace the front of the new Parkside Middle and Meadows First schools.

If only he had done his homework before griping about the gates he might have avoided offending the pupils and parents who assisted the artist, Jenny Pickford, with her designs for the gates.

His comments hinting at poor taste, and linking the gates to horror films are ludicrous.

The process to design the gates started in the schools. Pupils then made visits to Avoncroft Museum, and also the Jinney Ring Craft Centre where they learnt about the old Bromsgrove crafts.

These features have been incorporated into the gates after a competition for pupils and their families to contribute to the final designs.

Well done to the schools for such a brilliant idea to involve the children and their parents, this really does give the kids ‘ownership’ of their school.

Sean Shannon, Bromsgrove West WCC