PUPILS at a Weymouth school showcased their artistic talents by bringing history back to life.

All years at Beechcroft St Paul’s CE VA Primary School, except reception and Year 4 classes, enjoyed learning about the English Civil War.

They researched, sketched and blended colours to create their own pictures of a chosen character from the period.

It came as part of an invitation by Steve Booth, a guardian of Weymouth’s Old Town Hall, who invited all local schools to embrace the local history.

All pieces of artwork were entered into a competition judged by Professor Ronald Hutton, a history lecturer at Bristol University, and Kit Berry, author of the Stonewylde novels.

The youngsters were also given a talk on the historical background of the Crabchurch Conspiracy, by Mr Booth and a fellow civil war re-enactor, a topic they wouldn’t normally get to cover.

During the talk they heard about the plot by Royalist sympathisers in Weymouth and Melcombe, in which Charles I sought a south coast port to land French Catholic soldiers and turn the war in his favour.

Headteacher Sarah Sprague said: “The majority of classes had a go at doing some art on the subject.

“It’s not a historical area we would normally cover, but it was good, even if only for a day, to have a slightly different historical topic.”

Some of the youngsters drew characters and combined them into a big picture of Corfe Castle while others did individual pictures.

Art teacher Cathy Romano said all the pupils enjoyed getting involved.

Youngster Alfie Byatt, of Year 5, took away the top prize, the complete set of the Horrible History books – plus another set for the school.

Other prizes were on offer to runners-up to enhance their historical knowledge.

Every year in early February, Civil War re-enactors remember the battles with a march through Weymouth and a living history display at the Nothe Gardens and in Weymouth Old Town Hall.

Mr Booth is urging more schools to get involved in future competitions which also helps to raise funds for Weymouth’s Old Town Hall.

For more information visit: weymoutholdtownhall.co.uk

* Cathy Romano, art teacher, said all of the pupils enjoyed learning about the Crabchurch Conspiracy.

She added: “It has been a fantastic way to combine art and history.

“The Crabchurch Conspiracy is a topic they wouldn’t normally cover, all of the pupils have really enjoyed it.”

Dayla Donohoe,10, said: “I enjoyed researching about the English Civil War to find the person I wanted to sketch, it was so much fun.”

Aaliyah Campbell, 10, said: “I have learned a lot about our local history and how to shade and blend in art.”

Natasha Loxley, 10, said: “It has just been a great experience working with Mrs Romano on something like this.”

*BEECHCROFT St Paul’s CE VA Primary School has been on its present site since 1989.

Prior to this it was in Cromwell Road and known as Cromwell Road Infants School.

On moving to the new site the school was renamed Beechcroft Community Infants School.

As part of school reorganisation in the Weymouth area the school became a primary school with Church of England status in September 2003, hence Beechcroft St Paul’s CE VA Primary School.

The school has grown gradually from a small infant school to a full primary school, adding a new class each year by keeping its oldest pupils.