Students from Salford City College’s Skills for Working Life Department at Eccles Sixth Form Centre held their annual Remembrance Service on Monday morning. The talented students, who are all studying Employment Skills for the Creative and Cultural Industries, put on a moving performance to an audience that included the Ceremonial Mayor and Mayoress of Salford, as well as a number of specially invited war veterans.
Alison Bethune, the students’ tutor, said: “We put on this show once a year because we understand how important it is to pay respect to those who have lost their lives in combat. Prior to the show we looked at the pain war can cause, and used this as a stimulus for our work.”
The students worked closely with the College’s Chaplaincy Team to ensure that the performance maintained elements of a traditional Remembrance Service, whilst also making it relevant for the next generation. This was done through the use of song, dance and monologue, with the highlight of the Service being the performance of a song the students had written themselves.
Eighteen-year-old former Oakwood Academy pupil and aspiring singer songwriter George Thompson explained: “The song is called ‘Tears of Joy’, and it is about those who survive war and are reunited with their families.”
Classmate Chloe Pickup, who is also 18 and a former Oakwood pupil, added: “We all really enjoyed performing today, even though I was a bit nervous to start off with! I think it’s really important to always remember those who fought in the war- if it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t be here.”
Tutor Alison commented: “I was so proud of all of my students. Their commitment to the performance was amazing and the feedback they received from the members of the audience was incredible!”
One audience member who was particularly impressed was Casting Agent Shenaz Khan, who works for Niche Castings. Her job is to promote diversity in television by casting more actors who have special needs or learning difficulties, and she spoke to the students after the show to discuss the possibility of casting them in roles for her clients.
She said: “I can’t believe how talented the students are- I can really see them doing well in industry with the right support. Their enthusiasm and passion for performing really shone through in the Remembrance Service.”
