Pupils from Thornhill Primary School have worked with local senior citizens to create a choral composition marking the centenary of the end of the First World War.

Lyrics for the ‘Armistice Cantata' have been written by the school-children and set to music by composers of the period. The school were assisted by members of the Golden Oldies charity, Goldies Cymru as part of the charity's schools intergenerational programme and the collaboration has already been named Best Education Project at the National Lottery Awards 2018. In addition, the ‘Armistice Cantata' has been nominated for a Heritage Angel Award in the Best Contribution to a Heritage Project by Young People category. 

Thornhill Primary School are now preparing for a series of public performances of their ‘Armistice Cantata' starting with the Wales Festival of Remembrance at St David's Hall on the 3^rdof November.

Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry said: "I would like to congratulate the pupils at Thornhill Primary School, the staff and Goldies Cymru on this award-winning collaboration. I think it's fantastic that pupils get the chance to work on a unique intergenerational programme like this which will definitely aid their understanding of the enormous sacrifice made by so many people during the First World War. I can't wait to see the end result of all their hard work in November."

The pupils researched the First World War at the Glamorgan Archives and identified what they felt were key themes, they then matched these to melodies from the period.  The topics selected ranged from the role of women to the relationship between those who went to war and those who were left at home.

Head teacher at Thornhill Primary School, Paul Tucker said: "Pupils and staff have done a fantastic job alongside Goldies Cymru, I am so proud of their achievement."

Grenville Jones, the Founder of the Golden Oldies Charitable Trust and Goldies Cymru in South Wales, lost his Grandfather at the battle of the Somme. This personal history formed part of his decision to develop the WW1 intergenerational 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."

There will be a series of national events across the country this November to commemorate the centenary of the First World War armistice.