WROXHAM SCHOOL PILLBOX STUDY, PILLBOX STUDY GROUP

WROXHAM SCHOOL WWII PILLBOX STUDY

JOHN HELLIS

As Co-ordinator for the PSG I get quite a few emails every day. Mostly they are about the PSG, or requests for help from people who want to know about their local pillbox. A few are from students who want help with their research for an A level project or a Thesis for their degree. These are straightforward and run of the mill. There are two options for all of these emails, either I can help the inquirer, or I can't, "simple" (as a well known TV Meer Cat is won`t to say).

Just occasionally I get an email that makes me think "that's different". A few weeks ago I had just such an email from Mr Davy the Year 4 teacher at Wroxham School - Potters Bar.

Would I mind answering some questions from his class; well, my interest was roused, a group of young children being taken to see a Pillbox, that has to be supported surely.

So I told Mr Davy that I was happy to support his effort (it's not every day that you get a teacher who likes pillboxes! So it had to be done.).

Shortly thereafter I received a barrage of emails from Class 4.

Each pair of children sent me an email with several questions to be answered.

Class 4 at the pillbox (permission was obtained to use this photo)

The first thing to note is the quality of the questions:

How long did a pill box last for?

How many men could fit inside a pillbox?

Who designed the pillbox?

How were the pillboxes built?

Who came up with the idea of Pillboxes?

And many other questions, all showing an interest in the subject and a considerable desire to find out more about the subject.

Another interesting point is that out of fourteen or fifteen questions asked not a single one was silly or valueless.

I have to say that I really enjoyed this brief exchange with Year 4 and their class teacher.

The Pillbox

Thank you Class 4 for your interest and a for brightening my email Inbox.

John Hellis