For Bracknell Nostalgia this week, we are going back to 2003 to have a look at when several hundred school pupils across the town took part in a huge show that was attended by thousands of people.
Youngsters from all over the region congregated at the town’s Sport and Leisure Centre to teach the crowd about the Amazonian Indians in a production called ‘ Yanomamo’, with the storyline focusing on how the natives were dealing with the destruction of their homeland.
The show had pupils from 29 different schools take part
The biannual music event is organised by Bracknell Forest for the borough’s primary schools, and in 2003, a committee of teachers and decided to tell the Yanomamo story.
The event happened in 2003
The Yanomamo are the oldest Indian tribe to still be living in the Amazon, and to this day, they have managed to maintain their traditional way of life despite the encroachment of the modern world.
The students were split into two groups - singers and dancers
Julie Graham, who was the headteacher at Ascot Heath and was one of the organisers of the event 18 years ago, said: “The play tells the story of the Yanamamo’s livelihood being by the destruction of the forest.
The children seemed to enjoy themselves during the production
“The message is that we should all be looking after the rainforest, its wildlife, and its people”
Primary school students took part in the show
In total, 29 schools and 750 students took part, with the pupils being split into two groups.
The performance focused on the Amazonian Indians, and the destruction of their land in South America
One half of the children sang during the production, whilst the other half partook in the dancing sequences.
There was lots of colour on show
Ms Graham continued: “One of the best things about the show was the wonderful feeling of team spirit that makes an event like this possible.
The performance happened 18 years ago
“The children were beaming from ear to ear after the performance.
Around 750 students took part
“I’m sure it will be an experience that stays with them for all their days.”
Lots of people came and watched the show
The schools involved were Ascot Heath CofE Junior, Binfield Primary, Birch Hill, Broadmoor College Town Infants and Juniors, Cranbourne Primary, Crown Wood Primary, Crowthorne Primary, Fox Hill Primary, Great Hollands Junior, Harmans Water Primary, Holly Spring Infants and Juniors, Meadow Vale Primary, The Pines Junior, Sandy Lane Primary, St Joseph's Catholic Primary, St Margaret Clitherow Catholic Primary, Sy Michaels CofE Primary, St Michael's Easthampstead, Warefield CofE Primary, Whitegrove Primary, St Marys Winkfield, Owlsmoor Primary and New Scotland Hill Primary.
All the photos were taken by Stewart Turkington
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