Broadfield Primary School pupils take part in Christmas celebration of song

Children from Broadfield Primary School (in yellow) take part in Manchester Sings

Children from Broadfield Primary School in Oldham joined children from seven other schools across Greater Manchester for a celebration of music at Manchester Cathedral.

'Manchester Sings' celebrates the importance of community through a partnership festival of song and poetry.  The inaugural festival was launched in 2019 but was cancelled last year due to the Covid pandemic.

However, the music event returned this year and supported two Manchester charities, the Booth Centre and the Wood Street Mission.

Around 30 children from Year 5 at Broadfield Primary School took part in the event, alongside students from St Kentigern’s RC Primary, Wilbraham Primary, New Islington Free School, St Luke’s CofE Primary (Bury), Whitefield Community Primary, St Margaret’s CofE Primary (Whalley Range), and choristers and musicians from Withington Girls’ School.

This year's theme was 'community', and six songs were interwoven with words written by pupils who shared their own reflections on support, friendship, togetherness and unity.

Withington’s Director of Music and event organiser Mrs Gilly Sargent explained that the songs and readings had been chosen to tell a story that relates to the issues of today’s society and the importance of community.

"In particular how communities have come together and supported each other during the pandemic and still continue to do so. We all recognise that children have been affected by recent challenges in so many ways and Manchester Sings has been a welcome opportunity for celebration and joy."

Year 5 class teacher at Broadfield Primary, Mrs Drabble, added "Manchester Sings was an amazing opportunity for our children to work with schools across the whole of Greater Manchester.  Performing in Manchester Cathedral was a once in a lifetime opportunity and they loved every second of it.  The class were proud to represent our school and Oldham."

Broadfield pupils were just as positive in their feedback. Among those, Malaika said “I enjoyed Manchester Sings. It was a lot of fun performing with other schools”.

Classmate Treyden said: “It was an amazing day and my whole class enjoyed it”.

A collection during the event raised funds for the Booth Centre, a day centre for homeless people, and children’s charity, Wood Street Mission.  Beaverbrooks Jewellers were Manchester Sings sponsors.

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.