Noddy Receives A Vision of Walsall

Former Slade singer, Noddy Holder MBE visited Walsall College on Friday 4th March to be presented with ‘The Real Walsall’ by Walsall College students. During his visit, Noddy was officially presented with a student produced book, for which he recently contributed the foreword.

The book was created from a project which Walsall College Art & Design students undertook in collaboration with award winning photographer, Phil Brooks.

The project involved capturing the diversity and richness of Walsall through a series of photographs, which then went on to be compiled into a limited edition book. Noddy was so impressed with the project and the vision of Walsall the students had created, he agreed to provide the foreword for the book.

During his visit, Noddy took time out to speak to students about the project and tell them how impressed he was with their work. The students then turned their cameras on Noddy, taking a selection of excellent shots which they will now go on to use in their portfolios. Noddy also visited the College’s Roland Music Academy to listen to a selection of music students perform and to speak to them about his experiences in the music industry.

Alan Tyler, Curriculum Manager for Art and Design at Walsall College said: “We are delighted that Noddy Holder was impressed by the project and kindly offered to write the foreword to the limited edition student book. It was an honour to officially present Noddy with the final copy of the book and the students were extremely excited to meet him in person”.

Art and Design student Danielle Round said: “It was great to have the chance to officially present Noddy Holder with a final copy of our book. I have really enjoyed working with Phil Brooks on this project; it has definitely increased my confidence in approaching and interacting with people in order to get a good shot. It has been a great experience and I am now even more enthusiastic in pursuing a career in photography”.