Award winning mezzo soprano Katherine Jenkins reveals Wales’ Armistice Cantata education project as a winner in the National Lottery Awards.
[aoa id=”1″]Welsh singing sensation Katherine Jenkins has surprised Cardiff-based project, Armistice Cantata, with the news that they have won Best Education Project in the National Lottery Awards 2018.
The mezzo soprano broke the news of the win to pupils at Thornhill Primary School in Cardiff, who piloted the intergenerational education project which commemorates the Centenary of the end of WW1 (November 11 2018)![/aoa]
The National Lottery Awards are the annual search for the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects and celebrate the inspirational people and projects who do extraordinary things with National Lottery funding. Marking 100 years since the end of the Great War (November 11 2018), Armistice Cantata is part of a two-year intergenerational education project by Goldies Cymru that encourages primary schools to open their doors to older people.
As part of the programme, pensioners from the Goldies Cymru – which helps older people get involved in music – teamed up with youngsters from Thornhill Primary school in Cardiff who have written a musical to celebrate the end of World War One. The children from Thornhill Primary appear on stage together in a 30-minute production, named Armistice Cantata. The musical – which includes popular songs from World War One – is now being rolled out to a number of schools across England and Wales. More than 7,000 children and 800 older people from the Goldies charity are taking part.
Katherine, who has been hailed as the new ‘Force’s Sweetheart’, has performed for British troops in war zones across the world over the years. She followed the announcement today by meeting school pupils and representatives from the Goldies Cymru charity who have developed a new friendship by taking part in the Armistice Cantata project whilst learning more about the Great War. Katherine releases her new album ‘Guiding Light’ on 30th November.
Katherine, from Neath, South Wales, who has been dubbed new ‘Force’s Sweetheart for her performances to British troops across the globe, 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 £30 million 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. This brilliant education project by Goldies Cymru brings two generations together in commemorating those who served during the First World War and it’s a shining example of the impact National Lottery funding has on our communities.”
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 in WW1. This personal history formed part of his decision to develop the WW1 inter-generational education programme.
He added: “I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who voted for us. We are delighted to be crowned the UK’s best Education project in the National Lottery Awards.
“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.”
Armistice Cantata beat off competition from 700 entries to win £5,000 cash prize and an iconic National Lottery Awards trophy and will have its work celebrated on a special BBC One programme to be broadcast on the 26 September.
National Lottery players raise £30 million a week for arts, sport, heritage and community good causes. For more information go to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk or follow the campaign on Twitter: hashtag #NLAwards.
