JOY was tinged with sadness when pupils from Wayland Community High School in Watton received a British Science Association CREST award for designing and producing batik artwork bags.

JOY was tinged with sadness when pupils from Wayland Community High School in Watton received a British Science Association CREST award for designing and producing batik artwork bags.

The national award was presented to 12 Year 9 students for completing the project, helped by The Exchange (Norfolk Education Business Partnership) who provided a small bursary to support their work.

One of the awards was presented posthumously. Alastair Codling, who also took part in the batik project, received his twin sister, Claire's award. Claire passed away earlier this year aged 14.

Students learned the full batik process including use of wax and dyes, initially experimenting on paper, before developing their designs for the bags. They created designs that could be reproduced on an industrial basis and studied the technological and commercial side of working in batik.

Jan Cockburn from The Exchange, who presented the awards, congratulated the students.

'You have shown great enthusiasm for the subject and fully deserve the national recognition,' she said.

Students take to the stage on Thursday, July 15 and Friday, July 16 with a performance of The Show Must Go On, a collection of songs from Broadway and West End musicals accompanied by dance pieces and drama performances. Curtain up at 7.30pm. Tickets cost �6 adult & �4 concession/child available from WCHS and Watton Library.