A DALE lad’s 11th birthday turned out to be rather more memorable than he might have imagined.
Despite the easing of lockdown restrictions, Will Clayton was unable to celebrate with his pals last Thursday.
However, his mum Janine organised a big surprise.
Without telling her son, she asked neighbours in their Barnard Castle street to stay out after the weekly show of support for the NHS and other care workers and sing a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday.
Residents turned out in their numbers leaving the youngster somewhat speechless – especially when he received a couple of extra cards and a present from neighbours. Earlier in the day, Will’s friends had sent him birthday messages by video and he had enjoyed a treasure hunt around the house and a quiz via the Zoom app. His mum had also baked a cake.
What he didn’t know was that Janine had dropped a note through neighbours’ letterboxes the day before his birthday to set up his big surprise.
Janine said she got the idea after seeing a similar celebration elsewhere in town.
“A birthday in lockdown is a bit strange and I thought we could do that. It was really nice of everybody and quite emotional. He even got a present and a couple of cards which was really unexpected.”
Will is in his final year at St Mary’s RC Primary School, in Barney, and will move on to Teesdale School in the autumn.
