STAFF and students at Prince Henry’s High School welcomed members of the community for a poignant show to commemorate the centenary of the First World War.
The sell out production at Evesham Arts Centre saw students perform a range of performance pieces which included music, drama, poetry and historical readings.
Songs such as ‘It’s a Long Way to Tipperary’ and ‘Keep the Home Fires Burning’ were performed by the school’s barbershop choir ‘The Decorators’.
Drama pieces inspired by Siegfried Sassoon’s ‘Aftermath’ and Wilfred Owen’s ‘Exposure’ were also featured along with dramatic readings from among others, Michael Morpurgo’s ‘War Horse’.
The finale of the production was particularly poignant as ‘The Benedictus’ from Karl Jenkin’s ‘The Armed Man – A Mass for Peace’ was sung by the Chamber Choir.
Following a reading from ‘The Death of Harry Patch’, students were then joined on stage by members of the local cadet forces,
The Royal British Legion and Chelsea Pensioners for a minute’s silence as the Last Post sounded and poppy petals fell from
above.
A school spokesperson said: “The school was honoured by the presence of local dignitaries, the Royal British Legion and two Chelsea Pensioners for a moving and memorable occasion.”
The Evening of Remembrance forms part of a year-long Remembrance Project which Prince Henry’s is conducting to properly commemorate the centenary of the First World War.
* CIVIC dignitaries and veterans joined staff and students from Pershore High School for the school’s annual service of Remembrance.
The annual service is held every year in memory of staff and students from the Station Road school who gave their lives in the Second World War and subsequent conflicts.
Among the highlights were readings from students while a wreath was laid to remember the school’s Roll of Honour.
* YOUNGSTERS from Fladbury First School commemorated 100 years since the start of the First World War by taking to the stage for a special performance.
Pupils performed ‘Archie Dobson’s War’ in front of a sell-out audience with fantastic acting, amazing costumes and lively music throughout.
The school’s chair of governors, Pam Stubbs, said: “We were transported back to the days of the First World War and the impact it had on everyone, even the youngest in the family.
“Parents and visitors were moved almost to tears with the sensitivity of the children and the rousing cries of ‘Read all about it !’ announcing victory. It was a real Oscar winning performance.”
Civic dignitaries and veterans joined staff and students from Pershore High School for the school’s annual service of Remembrance.
Fladbury First School pupil Charlie Hales, eight, starring as Archie Dobson in the school’s special performance. (s)
