Members of the Royal British Legion in Rushden visited the town’s Newton Road School to present the children with the Poppy Cup to mark their efforts in raising money in November’s Poppy Appeal.

The cup is awarded to schools that have held events connected with remembrance during the previous 12 months, including holding services, taking part in projects related to the World Wars or creating artwork or exhibitions related to the theme.

The judges heard how children from Newton Road School had taken part in The Snow Goose project, collaborating with actors and artists from Fabula Arts in an incredibly powerful project that engaged children in the theme of remembrance. The project was a resounding success and the school took around 80 children to St Mary’s Church to watch the performance, where they were thrilled to see that the school’s motivational messages had been sewn into a sail and displayed at the church.

Assistant Principal Richard Bosworth said: “We’re very proud to have won the Poppy Cup because remembrance is very much in evidence in our school. The sail from The Snow Goose now has pride of place in our foyer alongside a variety of activities the children have undertaken.

“When we took a group of children to the war memorial in November, we were proud to see how they conducted themselves, carefully placing the wreath and then bowing their heads in respect for the fallen. In school, on 11th November, every child, even the very youngest took part in a two-minute silence, while children from Years 5 and 6 took responsibility for selling poppies and other merchandise linked to Remembrance Day and the Royal British Legion.

“It is vitally important that those who made the ultimate sacrifice are not forgotten and we are proud to have seen the school’s efforts recognised.”

The Poppy Cup was presented by a delegation from the Royal British Legion, which celebrated it’s 100th anniversary in 2021. They were joined at the presentation by the Mayor of Rushden, Cllr Melanie Coleman.