Education

Tony Robinson with children from Polehampton Junior Schoo
advertisement

Time Team's Tony Robinson vists Polehampton Junior School

By Jon Nurse
February 11, 2013

TV amateur historian Tony Robinson transformed a headteacher into an Egyptian mummy to promote a series of children’s books.

Hundreds of children packed into Polehampton Junior School hall in Twyford on Thursday to be taken on a journey through time with the actor, who played Baldrick in Blackadder.

Pupils from The Colleton Primary School joined juniors in Kibblewhite Crescent for the assembly and book signing.

The actor and author shared disgusting habits from the Roman Empire, enlisted youngsters to build an Egyptian pyramid and staged a mini Olympic Games as he introduced young readers to his Weird Wonders of the World series.

Polehampton Junior headteacher Penny Litson said: “He was fabulous – a true inspiration to everyone.

“The children really enjoy history and he has brought it to life. They are going to enjoy it even more after this.”

The headteacher was called to the front to riotous applause as the author turned her into a mummy.

Time Team’s Tony said: “At the end of pulling the brains out of her nose, wrapping her fingers and toenails in metal foil, covering her with salt and wrapping a neckerchief around her head she looked a very good mummy – very convincing.”

Polehampton Year Five pupil Sophie Errington, nine, said: “He was really funny. I started reading his book in break and it was really good.”

Alfie Lunnon, eight, added: “He knows a lot about history and explained it very well. It made it a lot more interesting. We are learning about the Egyptians so it was really good to get his book.”

The series covers the Egyptian, Roman, Greek and British Empires with all the strange and gory bits.

The BAFTA winner added: “I’ve felt for a long time I want to show kids that everything is interesting.

“No subject is boring – it’s all part of this extraordinary world we live in.”

Tony said he discovered his passion for history when he heard his dad’s adventures in the Second World War.

“I learned to appreciate the whole continuum of narrative in human history,” he added. “It was something that became instinctive to me and I’d like to imbue other kids with that understanding.”