“For you… THREE GIFTS”:
- the chance to see Mr. Pendlington dancing in a sombrero,
- a coach driver called Stan
- an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime…
Going to Belgium & France wasn’t all about remembrance of World War I; it was a good laugh too. Mr. Bailey FAILED at MarioKart, whilst Beth Briers became the undisputed champion of Bingo! Matty Gair ate enough food to feed everyone, whilst Richard Walker survived on a diet of potatoes and gravy. And how could you forget the chocolate shop!? The most organised establishment we had ever been to – before you knew it; you’d spent 20 euros on chocolate and treated yourself to “three gifts!”
Of course, there were very sombre moments on the trip, where everyone was moved in some way when thinking about all the men who made the ultimate sacrifice, many of whom are now just a name carved into stone. Tyne Cot, the biggest Commonwealth war cemetery in the world left a lasting effect on everybody, as we thought how each name was a person with a family and a life… Visiting that cemetery put it all into perspective. Also significant was the Menin Gate ceremony and the imposing Theipval memorial, where the memory of those who have no known grave is kept alive.
The trip was significant in other ways for Matty Gair and Amber McQuillan – both found their ancestors commemorated at memorials we visited, and felt immense pride in their achievements.
On the way back on the ferry, after having his hair straightened and make-up applied by half the lasses on the trip, Mr. Pendlington took to the dancefloor to showcase his dire, but nonetheless entertaining moves. The pictures say it all.
In 1914, Britain sent hundreds of “PALS” over to Belgium & France. They joined up to fight with their friends. Many of them did not return. In 2010, Nunthorpe School sent a group of people over to Belgium & France. Nobody knew everyone else to start with; but there’s no denying that when they returned, they were all “PALS”.
So remember now: “You can have any THREE GIFTS – but not the beer”
Published By J. Sayer – 9VESD
