Memories are made of this!

Two local schoolgirls remembered to put Bury on the map by starring in a national memory competition.

Leah Guilding and Sahira Khan, Year 6 pupils at Springside Primary School, triumphed over thousands of others by getting to the finals of the Junior Memory Championship.

The Junior Memory Championship, now in its 6th year, works with primary schools to promote memory techniques for youngsters.

The finals were held at London Zoo, where 19 youngsters were put through their paces by the championship's founder, former World Memory Champion Jonathan Hancock. They were challenged to learn facts about London, as well as numbers, words, and a collection of names and faces.

Leah came third overall, impressing the audience by recalling 47 random words, with Sahira not far behind.

Class teacher Miss Amanda Spring taught the memory skills lessons earlier in the term before the children completed the assessment and were selected. She travelled to London with the girls and their mums.

Karen Murphy, head teacher at Springside, said: “I am so pleased and proud of Leah and Sahira. Out of 10,000 entries across the country, they both made the last 19 for the finals, which is a fantastic achievement for the girls and for the school.

“Having a great memory should give the girls greater confidence in their studies, help them to communicate clearly, and do well at school.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 20 June 2013.

Picture attached: Sahira Khan and Leah Guilding shine for Bury at the Junior Memory Championship with former World Memory Champion Jonathan Hancock.