BUDDING REPORTERS QUIZ VILLAGERS

A village headteacher has been “blown away” by the level of community support for a school project which began last month. Abbots Langley School pupils spent February 12, 13 and 14 out in the village with wildlife photographer Ian Green, interviewing and photographing residents and businesses. The collated research and interviews will be collected into a book intended to reflect life in Abbots Langley. Once completed this will be made available for download online, it may also be possible to purchase a hard copy. After initially asking village residents and businesses for their help with the project, Abbots Langley headteacher Roger Billing told My Abbots News he was surprised with the amount of positive feedback. He said: “It went brilliantly. We went out with pupils a week before our photographer came down to book appointments with everybody, by and large they all said yes. We had 16 slots and only managed to get up to the Craft Tub. Everything from Sheffields and the butchers we still have to do, we will try to do more with them during the next half-term. “We were blown away with the support, locals really opened up,” he added. “The kids went into the shops by themselves to set up appointments, even the nursery children went into the fish and chip shop and managed to come away with some chips! The children also took some great photos that are much different from the viewpoint of an adult.” Due to the early success of the project Mr Billing revealed that the original idea had been expanded. He said: “I’ve spoken to the heads at Divine Saviour and Tanners Wood and we will interview them, as well as some children hopefully. We’ll also go to Parmiter’s and speak to former pupils of Abbots Langley. We are looking at many other areas like the geography and history of Abbots. As well as this we’ve got kids interviewing their grandparents and others who have lived in the village for 40, 50 years.” He added: “We found it was a really nice thing to do, people were talking about it so we want to make sure we keep it going.” If you can help with the project call the school on 01923 263174 or email the head on roger.billing@abbotslangleyprimary.com