Northern Ireland

Tyrone primary pupils write to businesses in literary project

Principal Stephen Baine, Charles Hurst's Lars-Erik Aaroy, VP Paul McKernan and Jason O'Neill from Charles Hurst with P7 pupils. Picture by Conal Brolly
Principal Stephen Baine, Charles Hurst's Lars-Erik Aaroy, VP Paul McKernan and Jason O'Neill from Charles Hurst with P7 pupils. Picture by Conal Brolly Principal Stephen Baine, Charles Hurst's Lars-Erik Aaroy, VP Paul McKernan and Jason O'Neill from Charles Hurst with P7 pupils. Picture by Conal Brolly

Primary pupils have been writing to businesses as part of a school literacy project.

P7 children from St Brigid's PS in Brocagh, Co Tyrone each chose a business and some received interesting replies.

Aoibhe Baine (10) got more than she bargained for when she wrote to Charles Hurst Land Rover. In a six page letter, motor fan Aoibhe explained that her favourite car was a Range Rover.

"My name is Aoibhe Baine. I am ten years old and I live in a village called Aghagallon. I am writing this letter because my teacher Master McKernan wants us to write a letter to local Irish companies, instead of writing to fake people like in `Away with the Words'. Out of all the companies in Ireland I chose your company Range Rover, because it is local and it is my favourite car," she wrote.

"I love Range Rovers when they are on the road. They are like the boss of all cars. I would love a reply from the best company in the world. It would be a dream."

Head of Charles Hurst Land Rover, Lars-Erik Aaroy, received the letter and invited Aoibhe to the showroom in Belfast. He then visited the school.

Principal, Stephen Baine said every child involved in the project put a great deal of time and effort into their letters, with many receiving lovely responses.

"We aim to teach important life skills which can actually be used in real life, and writing a letter, whether it's sent by post or email, is just one skill which we believe is important to learn," he said.

"We were delighted to be able to welcome Lars-Erik to St Brigid's. The whole class were very excited to see the car and meet the visitors from Belfast. It's just one example of how hard work pays off."