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Monday 21 Jul 2014

Children from Earl Danby's Primary School in Chippenham show off their artistic talents

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Pupils from Brinkworth Earl Danby’s CE Primary School in Chippenham were given the opportunity to show off their artistic talents last week in a drawing competition organised by Network Rail and their contractor, J Murphy & Sons Ltd (Murphy).

The competition, held on 17 July, encouraged every child in the school to explore their creative side by drawing their passion in life. The results ranged from pictures of owls to drawings of trains, with the winners from each year group receiving certificates and prizes of art equipment.

Network Rail and Murphy have developed a close working relationship with the school as a result of the reconstruction work that will start in October on the bridge near to the lower school’s building in School Hill, Brinkworth. This essential work forms part of Network Rail’s project to electrify the rail route from Paddington to Cardiff, in preparation for the introduction of greener, quieter electric intercity trains.

Mark Tinson, project manager for Network Rail, said: “From the outset we sought to develop a close working relationship with staff and children at the school. As part of this, we will be speaking to the children about keeping themselves safe so they know to stay away from the construction area while the work is taking place.

“We realise that this work will inconvenience staff and parents and so we organised this art competition in recognition of their continued patience and support. I was really impressed by the children’s efforts and it was a pleasure to award prizes to the winners – I wish we could have awarded more! As part of the competition we also donated nature books to the school library so hopefully all the children will be able to make use of these.”

The winning drawings from each year group will be laminated and displayed in the temporary structure while the bridge reconstruction work is taking place.

Laura Hilliard, Headteacher of Earl Danby’s School, said: “This has been a positive rewarding experience for our school. Network Rail has been very proactive and is keeping us informed every step of the way.”