Children show what they learned about the Somme

The “Children of the Somme” project involved pupils from Farnham Primary in Great Horton and Cullingworth Village Primary learning about their own history, and any involvement their family members might have had with the First World War.

Last night they took to the stage to show off what they have learned during the months long project, and parts were recorded for a show that will be broadcast on radio later this year.

Run by the BBC, the project aimed to educate children about their families’ links to the war, links they may not have even realised they had. There was a focus on those from the Indian subcontinent who fought in the war.

Thirty pupils from each school worked with the Bradford Music Service, BBC Radio Leeds, Lucie Lee Dance Academy, Annapurna Indian Dance and Bradford Bulls.

During workshops they learned to play instruments, dance and create poetry inspired by the war.

Sanjiv Buttoo, from Radio Leeds, said: “We wanted to show that just because children are from different heritages or communities, it doesn’t mean they don’t have any connection to the great war.

“A lot of families from the Indian subcontinent had sons in the armed forces, many of whom never came back from the wars.

“A lot of the children will have some link to the war, but not know about it. Hopefully they will look to find out more about this history.

“None of these children said ‘this isn’t for me’ and none of their parents said they didn’t want them taking part.”

As well as poems read out by the children, music and dance, the evening saw a play by Nick Ahad, screenwriter and radio presenter, involving children travelling back in time from the modern day to World War One.

Mr Ahad said: “The kids were amazing in the workshops we took part in. They might not know it, but even if their families are from Bangladesh or Pakistan they are likely to have some link to the war.”

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