Rolf Harris art work sold by Bulwell school trying to break their link to convicted TV personality

Only last February, as Hempshill Hall Primary School commemorated their 40th anniversary, they celebrated a link with the veteran celebrity.

It was back in March 1979 that the school was invited to take part in a television show, Rolf On Saturday OK.

Current headteacher, Helen Ridge, was a young teacher just starting out in her career at the time she took part in the show with a number of pupils.

It was filmed at Dayncourt School in Radcliffe-on-Trent and was described by Marcia Puckey, in a piece written to mark the school’s anniversary, as ‘one of the most memorable occasions’ for the school.

“Rolf and the BBC Team spent many hours rehearsing in school before the filming took place over a very long day,” said Marcia. “Many, many ex-pupils and staff will remember the experience for the rest of their lives.”

But the memories have now been tarnished since the star’s past has come back to haunt him.

During the show, Rolf painted a large picture of a Fijian girl and sang a song to go with it as pupils looked on.

The painting has proudly hung in the school since and received pride of place during the 40th anniversary celebrations.

But shortly after news of Harris’arrest under operation Yew Tree, the school put the painting up for auction and it sold for just £300, compared with the previous estimated price of £2,000.

Auctioneer Charles Hanson said he expected to see a drop of 85 to 90 per cent in the value of Harris paintings as a result of the case.

Sentencing for Harris will take place today, Friday.

Here is the recording of the show http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHbE8VXoiRc.