19th Sep 2025
Year 6 pupils, from Thornhill School Linmere, were invited to the new Neighbourhood Centre, to enjoy a tour around the new development and experience some of the roles and tasks required in the day-to-day construction of the new site.
Hosted by Brickhill Construction and Hightown Housing Association, and led by experienced site managers and engineers, the children were given a hands-on experience in delivering the new facility, leading to the creation of 43 apartments, a nursery and new retail spaces.
The visiting pupils swapped their pens and pencils for hard-hats, trowels and measuring tapes, as the Brickhill Construction team prepared a series of age-appropriate, hands-on activities to give the children a taste of real onsite work. Pupils were given tasks from cleaning plant and machinery, to learning the basics of bricklaying, as site team managers explained the processes, and progress so far, in delivering the new centre.
Representatives from Brickhill Construction explained the different roles on a building site, from architects and engineers to machine operators and project managers. The pupils were encouraged to ask questions, with topics ranging from how to access a career in construction and what residents could expect from the new neighbourhood centre, including new retail spaces.
James Pargeter, Company Director, at Brickhill Construction, commented: “Brickhill is delighted to be partnering with Hightown on this project providing 43 much needed affordable homes. Brickhill is always keen to engage the local community, and it was an absolute pleasure to provide an exciting “hands on” experience for the children of Thornhill primary school.”
Claire Bishop, Head of Development, at Hightown Housing Association, added: “We’re proud to be delivering a development that not only provides much needed affordable homes, but also brings the community together through new shops and services. Engaging with local schools is just one way we hope to inspire future generations to consider careers in construction and housing development.”
Emma Farrier, Marketing and Community Engagement Manager, at Linmere, noted: “As masterplanners and developers for the site, we are delighted to have Hightown and Brickhill delivering affordable housing and retail units within the Local Centre at the development. The ethos of Linmere’s master plan is that no resident will be more than five minutes from green open space.”
On successfully completing their tasks, visiting pupils were rewarded with merchandise, kindly donated by Hightown Housing Association, before being chaperoned back to class, only a few meters from the development.
The neighbour centre, located on Waterslade Way, Linmere, is scheduled for completion by Spring 2026.
Linmere is designed to be a place for communities that embraces the natural environment, and where all generations can enjoy a great quality of life. This exciting new collection of leafy and walkable neighbourhoods, situated north of Houghton Regis Bedfordshire, located close to M1 Junction 11a. Nestled into verdant surroundings, its first homes completed and inhabited in 2021. The Land Trust will maintain and preserve these spaces on behalf of Houghton Regis Management Company.
