Brampton Village Primary School pupils at at the Huntingdon Museum

CHILDREN at Brampton Village Primary School have been finding out about the village’s most famous resident Samuel Pepys thanks to a £13,500 grant from The Heritage Lottery Fund.

Children in Years 5 and 6 have researched the life and times of Pepys, whose house still stands in the village, and learnt about the trials and tribulations that beset 17th century London.

A group of pupils also travelled to Magdalene College, Cambridge to see Pepys’ original diaries and have kept diaries of their own so that future generations will know what life was like in Brampton in the 21st century.

They also popped into Cromwell Museum, once the Huntingdon Free School where Pepys was taught, and saw artefacts from his life and times.

Mike Levy and Lesley Ford from The Keystage Theatre wrote and produced a play about Samuel Pepys which was performed by children in Years 5 and 6.

Brian Gebbels, chairman of the Brampton Historical Society, watched the play, and said that he had “a thoroughly enjoyable, entertaining and educational evening.”

Jacqui Watkins, headteacher, said: “We are very grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund and Keystage Theatre company for providing our children with a wonderful learning opportunity. The children have really enjoyed the Pepys into the Past topic and we have all learnt a great deal.”