Top award for WWI project

SCHOOLCHILDREN in Cardiff received a surprise visit from a singing superstar, as they won a top award for their World War One project.

Pupils at Thornhill Primary School won Best Education Project in the National Lottery Awards 2018 for their musical, Armistice Cantata.

The scheme commemorates this year’s centenary of the end of the First World War.

As part of the programme, pensioners from the Goldies Cymru – which helps older people get involved in music – teamed up with the youngsters.

With songs including popular standards from World War One, the musical is now being rolled out to a number of schools across Wales and England.

More than 7,000 children and 800 older people from the Goldies charity are taking part.

Classical singing sensation Katherine Jenkins surprised the winners with the news.

She said: “I’m delighted to announce Armistice Cantata as the winner of the UK’s Best Education Project in the National Lottery Awards 2018.

“It’s thanks to National Lottery players, who raise £30m each week for good causes, that amazing projects like this are possible.

“Supporting and commemorating the men, women and families who serve our country has always been an important part of my life.

“And it’s as important as ever that we honour those who sacrificed their lives in the Great War all those years ago.

Grenville Jones, the founder and chief officer of the Golden-Oldies Charitable Trust and Goldies Cymru in South Wales, lost his grandfather at the battle of the Somme.

His history formed part of his decision to develop the education programme.

He said: “This is a remarkable project and it is very special because it can be adapted by schools who wish to localise their own productions. We have seen on so many occasions the joy that comes when children and older people meet together on school projects, especially when they are joined in song.”