RESIDENTS have a chance this weekend to look round York’s new Joseph Rowntree School during a fun day organised by the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust.

The trust is holding its annual meeting and residents’ event on Saturday at the old Joseph Rowntree School, in New Earswick.

The meeting, which takes place between 10.30am and 12.30pm, will reveal details of trust plans for 2010, and will be followed by a Directors’ Question Time, chaired by BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration.

The Even More 4 Less event will continue from 12.30pm until 4pm, with activities planned for visitors of all ages including: a Bowling Buddies competition, which will see adult and children teams competing for the chance to win a Nintendo Wii.

“There will be face-painting for younger children, carpet bowls and keep-fit taster classes,” said a trust spokesman.

“There will also be the chance to pick up some useful household tips from cookery demonstrations and fruit and vegetable-growing sessions.”

Tours of the new Joseph Rowntree School, which is due to be completed next February, will be offered by Carillion throughout the day, giving visitors the opportunity to see inside the new state-of-the-art building.

Head teacher Maggi Wright said: “The new school is a superb design which is the result of a great deal of consultation.

“It will be used by the community and greatly enhance opportunities for teaching and learning. It is a development of which we are all very proud.

“This will be the first opportunity for Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust residents to see inside the building and experience the fantastic facilities.”

Jacquie Dale, the trust’s director of housing and community services, said: “We have planned the day with our residents in mind and hope it will be fun for all the family as well as interesting and informative.”

Winners of the “Picture my environment” initiative, which encourages youngsters to think about their environment by capturing pictures of “green living” in the local area, will be announced during the day, with two Sony Cybershot digital cameras waiting to be won.

Stands providing information about matters such as waste minimisation, saving energy and the pensions service will be available all day.