Pupils can find their way to free maps

Oct 9 2009 by Stuart Wilson

SCHOOLKIDS are being urged to snap up free maps.

Every primary seven pupil is entitled to an Ordnance Survey Explorer map under a scheme in operation since 2002.

And MP Brian Donohoe wants Ayrshire kids to benefit.

He said: “My advice is to snap those maps up as quickly as possible.

“I cannot over-emphasise how important maps are, and the Ordnance Survey editions are of course the very best maps we have.

“Like many other people, I am concerned that in an age of satellite navigation devices in cars, and online maps that are both readily available and do much of the navigation for you, paper maps could become a thing of the past.

“However, neither GPS nor online mapping gives you the variety of information, the local detail, the accuracy and the context of a proper map.

“You can’t unfold an online map and you can only see a bit at a time.

“For me there is something very special about unfolding a map of this area.”

Online applications for free maps have to be made on behalf of pupils by their schools.