Remember… The Great War
St Andrew’s Prep was honoured to participate in three evenings of narration, music, drama and poetry recital alongside BBC TV Presenter, David Dimbleby and world renowned soprano, Dame Felicity Lott last weekend. Staged at the Redoubt Fortress on the Eastbourne seafront, Remember… The Great War was performed on three consecutive evenings to commemorate the centenary of the start of World War 1.
Commentary on how the war started, developed and finally came to an end along with stories of local servicemen who carried out acts of extraordinary bravery in the war was interspersed with moving performances by local schools and choirs. Year 6 to 8 pupils from St Andrew’s gave a poignant account of In Flanders Fields by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae and sang traditional First World War songs including Oh What a Lovely War and Keep the Home Fires Burning.
The school also contributed to a display of artwork and artefacts which were viewed by ticket holders before and after the performances. Based on works of World War 1 artist, Christopher Nevison pupils painted their own interpretations of his paintings or copies of his pieces. In addition, Year 7 children made clay models of World War 1 soldiers waiting to go ‘over the top’. The artwork and models were exhibited alongside a range of artefacts including uniforms, medals, artillery and a book loaned to the event by St Andrew’s which was donated to the school during the war years by the grief-stricken father of a former pupil who was killed in 1915. The book is full of letters, photographs and newspaper cuttings about his son, Eric Yarrow. Almost 400 former St Andrew’s pupils fought in the Great War and Yarrow was one of 96 to have died.
The evenings raised money for two important charities: The ABF, the Army’s principal welfare charity which provides financial and practical support to soldiers, former soldiers and their families and St Wilfrid’s Hospice which provides free care to around 1,000 patients every year.
Mr Severino said, “These performances were very special. Educational and moving and a wonderful opportunity for St Andrew’s to get involved in the community once again while raising money for two important charities. Our children and everyone involved in the staging and performance of the evenings should be very proud of their contribution and I hope it will stay in their memories for their lifetime.”
