Pilling St. John’s Primary School, Pilling

25 April – 20 June

LETTER FROM JOSEPH CLOUGH PILLING ST. JOHN’S PRIMARY

Doctor White,

How I miss you old chum,

Living in a bombed-out mud puddle,

The night sky explodes with fireworks –

If only that’s what they were….

Oh how I miss London

Even the black factory smoke

The men here, grubbier than the boys from the coal mines.

You would be so proud –

I’m one of the only Jamaicans allowed to drive the field ambulance.

I’ve proved Sir Arthur Slogget wrong

And shown I do have the strength and courage.

I do have the strength and courage.

The soldiers here have a lifetime bond

We’re like brothers

Colour and race do not play a part in the trenches.

But their mood is subdued

And they are petrified

Tomorrow they go over the top

Goodbye my oldest friend

It would mean so much if you could write back to me.

You would be so proud –

I’m one of the only Jamaicans allowed to drive the field ambulance.

I’ve proved Sir Arthur Slogget wrong

And shown I do have the strength and courage.

I do have the strength and courage.

Your old chauffeur

Joseph Clough

Sally Astbury - Teacher

It has been an honour to work on this project and the children have got a lot from it. Some children were disappointed that they didn’t get the chance to get a speaking part. The final performance was very professional and there were many positive comments from parents and governors saying how much they enjoyed it. One parent said that it was the best school performance he had seen!

Twiga - Performance

I learnt that singing in front of a crowd is not all bad. I hope we can do something like this next year.

Kelly - Artefact Handling

I learnt about what they used the war and that Indians came to help England.

Hayley - Puppet Making

I liked making the puppets, seeing everyone else’s puppets different looks and operating my puppet in the performance

Sally Astbury - Teacher

The children were able to experience the process involved in song writing. It demystified it and allowed the children to take ownership of their own song.