Pupils recreate Somme in play at cathedral

Kirkham’s Carr Hill is one of three Lancashire schools taking part in the commemorations.

Their efforts, which have been described as a massive achievement, will be staged at Blackburn Cathedral next month.

Carr Hill call their work The Dead Man’s Penny, which was the name given to the memorial plaque, issued after the First World War to the next ­of­ kin of all British and Empire service personnel who were killed as a result of the war.

The piece explores the story of the men who “Died for Freedom and Honour” in the front line fighting and the families they left behind, alongside the anomaly of the Christmas truce.

The performances take place on Tuesday, June 14 and Thursday June 16 starting at 1.30pm.

There is no charge and everyone is welcome to attend.

Joanna Booth, who is the cathedral’s education officer, said: “Schools were invited to explore creatively the themes of human suffering and the waste of trench warfare through the medium of music or drama.

“They could participate either by composing and performing an original piece of music or by writing and performing an original piece of theatre or dramatic art.”