by Gemma Constable

A snapshot of life in Leysdown has been captured by pupils from the Isle of Sheppey Academy as part of a project to reinvigorate the area through art.

Sixteen pupils from the Abbey school in Minster took part in a five-week programme of workshops with professional documentary photographer Ed Thompson.

They enjoyed an introduction to Ed’s work, learned about the history of documentary photography and were taken on two field trips to the village where they approached locals to take portraits and visited cafes and shops.

The edited photographs will provide a social document of Leysdown and the people that live and work there.

Head of Abbey school, Jo Chester, said: “I was very impressed with Ed, particularly with our site visits into Leysdown. His work with the students was excellent, he turned what might have been a cold and miserable day into a real learning experience for the students.

“The work produced is outstanding and the students are very much looking forward to seeing their work exhibited along side that of a professional photographer.”

The workshops were part of the Voices of Leysdown project that uses story-telling and writing, image, sound recording and interviewing to explore people’s perceptions and recollections of the village.

The students’ work will appear on a new website www.voicesofleysdown.co.uk that will be launched in the summer.

Voices of Leysdown is part of Leysdown Rose Tinted, which aims to transform Leysdown through reinvigorating the area through art, by working with people who live, work and visit there.

Rose Tinted project officer Louise Francis: “The pupils from Sheppey Academy produced some great work with Ed. His energy and enthusiasm for street photography has really inspired them.

“The pupils captured the essence of Leysdown beautifully and everywhere they went they were warmly welcomed by residents and people at work.”

Swale council’s cabinet member for culture, Cllr Bryan Mulhern, said: “I am very pleased with the enthusiasm with which people have approached the project and am delighted that they have all gained something from it personally.

“I am pleased it is encouraging people to visit Leysdown and hope this is a good morale boost for the area.”

Voices of Leysdown is supported by Swale council, Swale CVS and Kent County Council.