A NEW library has been built at a secondary school in The Gambia, thanks mainly to the efforts of pupils, parents, teachers and friends of Bromsgrove schools.

Armitage Senior High School in the town of Janjang-Bureh, in the tiny west African state, forged strong links with schools in Bromsgrove back in 1987.

Since then there have been many exchanges involving staff and pupils.

The man who pioneered the link is Mike Carrick, who comes from Upton Warren. Mike is the former head of physics at North Bromsgrove High School. He has been working with Mike Hendley, the school's former deputy head.

The pair will fly to The Gambia on Friday for two weeks to join in the celebrations to mark the completion of a new library.

Mike said North is delighted that the library project, begun in March 2002, has reached a successful conclusion.

He is also full of praise for the work put in by Armitage's principal David Haffner and his staff to oversee the construction of the building.

"Funding has been organised by North Bromsgrove," Mike said. "We received £10,000 from the Burdens Charitable Trust, £5,000 from the British and Foreign School Society, £10,000 from a legacy via friends of Mike Hendley, £1,500 from Hagley First School, who also have links with Janjang-Bureh, and various sums from teachers, parents and friends of the school totalling £33,140.19."

Some remaining cash will be spent on books to stock the library.

David Haffner visited North Bromsgrove High School in July 2004.

Mike added; "The visit will give us an opportunity to meet some of the many friends we have made since the link began.

"We are delighted the library is completed ready for use and look forward to seeing it as soon as we arrive. We are hoping also that it might be possible for two people from Armitage to visit North Bromsgrove in July."

pete.lammas@midlands.

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