Starting in November 2001, 10 primary schools from each of the Black Country boroughs - Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton - completed bridge design and building workshops in their own schools. The activity, facilitated by the Architecture Workshop Association, involves the practical application of mathematical concepts (number, angles, triangles etc) in a genuine problem-solving situation.

Following a judging process the teams with the best ideas and bridge structures were invited to compete in the Black Country final at the New Art Gallery Walsall on Wednesday 19 June 2002.

The four Black Country schools who contested the final were:

• Lutley Primary School (Dudley)
• St Hubert's Catholic Primary School (Sandwell)
• King Charles Primary School (Walsall)
• Wood End Primary School (Wolverhampton)

Following a frenetic period of discussing, designing and building the quality of the bridges produced was outstanding, making the judges' job extremely difficult.

The eventual winners were King Charles Primary School from Walsall who were presented with the Nigel Frost Memorial Trophy by Black Country LSC Council member Sue Davies, who is also Vice Chair of Advantage West Midlands.

It has now been decided that "Bridging the Basin" will be an annual Black Country event.