Rayleigh and Wickford MP and Armed Forces Minister Mark Francois was impressed with the collection of WWII artwork created by pupils when he visited Grange Primary School in Wickford this afternoon.
The MP, who served in the Territorial Army during the Cold War and who is a military history buff, as well as being Britain’s Armed Forces Minister, noticed a striking display of models in the schools reception area during his visit.
The pupils, some of whom had enlisted help of parents or indeed grandparents for their project, had created a series of model Anderson shelters, recreating the famous shelters which were constructed in people’s back gardens during the Second World War. Headteacher Lynn Corderoy explained that a number of people who had been alive during the war visited an exhibition of the pupils artwork when it was put on several weeks ago - one of whom was apparently overcome when she heard people talking about things she remembered as a child during the Blitz.
Speaking following his visit Mark said:
"My father, Reginald Francois, served in the Royal Navy in World War Two and he would have instantly recognised the designs which the pupils at Grange Primary School had created. Some of the scale models were extremely well put together and they caught my eye the moment I walked in. It is very important that we commemorate those who went through the War, including on the Home Front and I would like to commend Grange Primary School for this very exciting and well executed project."