George helps his home town kick off its 60th birthday celebrations

George, whose TV shows include George Clarke's Amazing Spaces, was in Washington New Town to launch a special design competition for schoolchildren in the town where he grew up.

The competition helps kicks off a year of celebrations being planned to help Washington New Town mark its big birthday next July.

Designated a New Town on 24 July 1964, Washington was hailed at the time for its innovative and forward-thinking residential designs for homes, as well as the establishment of long lasting communities. It became part of the then Borough, now city of Sunderland 10 years later.

In recognition and celebration of this landmark date, George Clarke, his charity MOBIE and Sunderland City Council are inviting young people from schools across Washington to come up with their own vision of an innovative residential community for the next 60 years. 

Young people taking part in the competition will be asked to design a 21st century super sustainable 'courtyard' style housing scheme, with houses for all ages designed around a pedestrianised courtyard square - in line with the essential features of the original 1960's plan. 

George Clarke, said: "Home is the most important piece of architecture in our lives. It crafts the way we live, and how we grow as families and communities.

"I have believed this to be so true and important for as long as I can remember, and in many ways inspired by my family home and upbringing in the Washington village of Blackfell and the amazing community that we enjoyed there.

"It is an absolute honour and pleasure to be a part of Washington's 60^th Anniversary celebrations and to launch this special design challenge for the young people who live here now.

"I set up MOBIE, my education charity six years ago to inspire and engage as many young people as possible to think about home design,for them to discover and train for the many varied fantastic career paths and opportunities that the Built Environment industry offers to absolutely everyone regardless of interests, talents or backgrounds.

"This will be our fifteenth student design challenge, especially unique because usually these are open to everyone, to all schools, colleges and universities wherever you live or study, but this is just for students in Washington. We are asking for designs and community master planning ideas for the homes here for the next sixty years. I am launching the challenge today and the closing date for submissions will be in time to judge the entries, announce the winners and present the prizes at Washington's 60^th anniversary celebrations next July.

"We always get a tremendous response to our home design challenges and I am continually blown away by young people's creativity, imagination and sheer brilliance when it comes to designing places that not only look beautiful, but which provide high living standards and make a significant contribution to the net zero economy.  From past experience we are never disappointed and I am truly excited and looking forward to seeing what the students from my home town come up with. We will be offering loads of support and design classes and workshops to help schools with the challenge so please get in touch. Let's show the rest of the country what young designers in Washington are thinking for their future in this amazing town."

Councillor Sean Laws, who is chairing the steering group planning the 60th birthday celebrations, said: "As Chair of Washington Area Committee and the Washington 60 steering group I have been very keen to ensure that we mark Washington's 60^th anniversary of being a New Town in a bigger and better way than anything we have done before and pay a fitting tribute to a key part of the City of Sunderland.

"From the outset, there has been nothing but enthusiasm from the leader and City Council following my request for support in delivering Washington 60 and to use Washington 60 as a platform to unlock the clear potential within Washington.

"I am delighted George has agreed to be part of the Washington 60 celebrations we are organising and will be delivering a superb project aimed at inspiring the Stephen Holleys and James Steels of the future. I'm looking forward to being able to announce further plans soon for how we will celebrate the history and heritage of Washington whilst also planning for the next 60 years by bringing in investment and unlocking the huge potential of our town."

Further details of the celebrations planned for Washington's 60th birthday will be unveiled in coming months.

Thursday's launch was held at the Galleries Shopping Centre in Washington which celebrates its 50th birthday the same year as the new town turns 60.

Ian McGregor, manager of  the Galleries Washington Shopping Centre, said: "The Galleries was designed to be at the heart of the community, and it has done just that for the past 50 years. We are delighted to support Washington's 60th and the Centre's 50th next year and look forward to another vibrant 50 years for the centre and continued success for the town."