YOUNGSTERS performed the honours to celebrate the history and future of Wyke Regis.

Year 6 pupils from Wyke Regis Junior School unveiled a plaque commemorating the site of the former Whitehead torpedo factory on Whitehead Drive.

Funds were raised by the Wyke Regis Protection Society, which organised the ceremony at the site near Ferrybridge yesterday.

Jean Hamdorff, of the group, said: “We wanted to involve the whole community and I thought it would be nice if the children, who represent our future, came down to do the unveiling.

“As it happened they were learning about the factory, and its importance to Wyke, so it all fit really well.”

Pupil Harry Bell, aged 11, gave a short presentation on the history of the factory to teachers, pupils, residents and former workers.

The school choir sang a rendition of ‘Do-Re-Mi’ from The Sound of Music to mark the Weymouth link to the famous singing family.

The factory founder, Robert Whitehead’s great-granddaughter was the first wife of Captain Von Trapp.

Year 6 teacher David Payne said the children had been ‘really enthusiastic’ about the project.

He said: “We had been looking for something which combined geography and history, and that had relevance to the area, so this seemed perfect.

“We’ve been learning about the history of the factory, such as when it was built, and how Wyke Regis grew up around it to provide homes for all the people who worked there. “That’s enabled us to learn more generally how businesses can bring wealth to an area.”

Mr Payne added: “The children have really loved it, because it’s so relevant to them and their families.”

Former Whitehead apprentice John Collins, 72, also attended the ceremony.

He said: “I worked at the factory from 1957 to 1963, as one of 50 apprentices, and it was more than just a workplace, there was a real social aspect to it.

“It was the main employer in Weymouth at one time, I think more than 1,000 people worked there.

“It’s marvellous that we’ve got something here to keep the memory of that alive.”

The granite block with a plaque was provided by Stone’s the Masons, and co-owner David Hounsell attended to see the monument, which was put in place in October, be officially unveiled.

Mrs Hamdorff said: “We would like to thank Stones for their interest and professional advice, and also several clubs and individuals who donated to the fund to make this possible.

“It’s great to see so many people here today to see the result and remember what was an important part of Wyke Regis.”