Stratford school is in good voice
The vocal group from Stratford-upon-Avon High School has been awarded a prestigious honour by Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service for its performance at the recent memorial tribute to the four firefighters who died at Atherstone-on-Stour.
Three weeks before April’s memorial service, music teacher Peter May was tasked with finding a suitable song for the choir. He found ‘Believe’ and rehearsals began in earnest.
At the service, held at the Bancroft Gardens, firefighters from all over the UK and many local dignitaries heard the girls’ interpretation of the song.
To reward this, Neil McElvenny, family liaison officer of Warwickshire Fire and Rescue presented the school with the silver axe to mark its excellent service. This is traditionally given by fire and rescue services to the top candidate at training. Stratford’s award marks the first time it has been presented within the community and will be passed down from year to year. The axe now belongs to the school who will nominate which of its groups will be awarded it for 2010.
Neil McElvenney said: “The silver axe means a lot to the fire and rescue service which shows how highly we valued what the vocal choir did at the memorial service to our fallen colleagues. Their performance was remarkable given how quickly they were asked to turn everything round.”
Trish Parsons, key stage 3 manager at the school, said: “I was delighted with how well the students responded to being asked to perform. I am looking forward to seeing what other students do in the future to receive the award.”