IT WAS great to drop in to a school last week which is so linked into the arts it can boast of past visits from well known authors and poets, such as Michael Rosen and Adrian Mitchell.
Even the much-lauded new poet laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, has been to Cranford Park Primary School, and I'm sure she was as impressed as I am with the wonderful examples of art and writing by famous people of all nationalities which adorn the walls.
Significantly, these impressive displays sit happily beside the children's own work, which is clearly of equal importance and not at all dwarfed by the great masters surrounding them.
Hayes, where Cranford Park School is situated, may not be as pretty as some parts of the borough and is often derided, but it has a long and proud history and many people care about it.
The Fisher family lived in Hayes for 12 very happy years. Our daughter was born in Harlington, where we lived in a maisonette, and our very first house was in Hyde Way.
It is the only school in the borough which I can claim to not only have written about in the Gazette, but been a parent, a school governor and even a teacher (I did a couple of weeks supply teaching there when Fisher Junior was in the infants).
A huge percentage of its pupils are now from ethnic minorities, but the school is a wonderful example of successful multiculturalism, where all religious festivals are celebrated, including a full-on nativity at Christmas.
So happy birthday CPP, which is celebrating 70 years as a school this year, and thank you for the many enjoyable moments I have spent there in all my guises!
HURRAH! - my Hillingdon First card arrived today, but I was a bit miffed last week to find only one card had arrived at our house, and that was for Mr F.
We obviously hadn't been paying attention because the small print on the accompanying blurb clearly states that only the main council tax payers receive them, but if you are over 18 and a Hillingdon resident you can register by phoning 01895 556 677 or by contacting www.hillingdon.gov.uk/hillingdonfirst . Go on, do it! Race you to the car parks, the library and the shops - or see you at the council dump?
What do you like about Hayes? Email me on bmailbarbara@googlemail.com.
