The South Ayrshire launch of 'Vamoose to Vandalism', a project to make P5 school pupils aware of the dangers and destruction caused by acts of vandalism, took place in Girvan Primary School.

Members of the TRAM Direct theatre group gave pupils a 50 minute drama performance, delivering important messages about vandalism in a fun, informative and entertaining way.

During the performance pupils interacted with the actors and learnt in an innovative, that being involved in acts of vandalism is silly and dangerous. The cast used a mixture of humour, drama, rhymes, raps and questioning to keep the audience's attention and educate them about vandalism.

Special guests at the launch were South Ayrshire Provost Winifred Sloan, Convener of South Ayrshire Council's Lifelong Learning Committee, Councillor Pam Paterson, Leader of the Council, Councillor Gibson T Macdonald, Superintendent Bruce Kennedy, Strathclyde Police and Emma McNae, Marketing Manager, Stagecoach.

After watching the production Councillor Paterson said: "The actors are to be congratulated for the enthusiastic and masterful way in which they dealt with the subject of vandalism.

"By giving children information in a way that appeals to them they are more likely to listen, learn, and remember what they are being told.

"I hope that this initiative will deter children from becoming involved in vandalism which is dangerous, causes victims distress, costs a lot of money to repair and is a criminal act.

"Each time Council property is vandalised it costs the Council and indeed the residents of South Ayrshire money to repair it, and this is money which could be better spent on other things.

"I would like to thank Strathclyde Police and Stagecoach for the support that they have given to the Council and this very important project."

The project is being financed by the Council and supported by Strathclyde Police. Stagecoach donated 'goodie' bags for the children that contained rulers, pencils, and stickers etc to remind the children of the message that vandalism is unacceptable.

All P5 children who see the 'Vamoose to Vandalism' production are being invited to enter an art competition to design a poster to get across the message to the general public that being involved in vandalism is wrong.

The competition will be judged in three geographical sections, one winner will be selected from a school in the following areas: Girvan and Maybole, Ayr area, and Troon area. Courtesy of stagecoach the three winning designs will be transformed into advertisements and placed on the back of a Stagecoach bus in the area where the winner goes to school.

The drama production will take place in various locations throughout South Ayrshire during January 2006 to enable all P5 pupils to learn about vandalism.

In order to evaluate the impact of the project on P5 pupils they, and the teachers who have seen the drama will complete questionnaires.

Pictured at the launch of 'Vamoose to Vandalism' within Girvan Primary School are (back row left to right) Ryan Smith, TRAM Direct, Provost Winifred Sloan, Avril Miedoniechki, TRAM Direct, Councillor Pam Paterson, Superintendent Bruce Kennedy, Emma McNae, Marketing Manager Stagecoach, Councillor Ian Fitzsimmons and Sergeant John Cairns, Community Safety along with a P5 pupil from each of the schools who attended the performance.

January 2005