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Pupils take a step back in time

12/ 5/2005

WAR almost broke out at Gamesley Primary when children's sweets were rationed!

As part of a WW2 project in the run up to the 60th anniversary of VE Day, youngsters learned what their lives would have been like during wartime.

Deputy headteacher Rachael Sharman said: "We gave the children two ounces of sweets each and they were told it had to last all week as that's what their rations would have been.

"The majority ate them in the first day. They only had eight sweets each and they found it unbelievable they had to last that long!"

Pupils took a trip back to wartime when staff from Lyme Park came into the Grindleford Grove school and recreated a 1940s style lesson. Children were shown memorabilia including tin hats and gas masks, played authentic games such as a beetle drive and listened to music from the era.

Local residents were also invited to talk about their war memories.

Mrs Sharman added: "The two ladies from the estate who came in to talk to us are still getting stopped on the street by the children asking questions."