Poetry pleases for these Lancashire pupils whose video is something to smile about

This video is meant to make you smile ... and it certainly does, thanks to the determination of one Lancashire mum to spread a little sunshine with a video of her daughter and classmates.
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Here is the happy and hopeful news.

A Lancashire mum decided we needed the joy of the very young to remind us about all the good things in life and make us smile, despite the very real and ongoing concerns about the pandemic.

Olivia Hart set about inviting all her daughter’s classmates in the Year 1 and 2 Hodder classes at Ribchester St Wilfrid’s CE school to read a line of a poem which reminds people to seize the moment and savour it and be kind.

Olivia Hart and daughter Matilda         (photo: Neil Cross)Olivia Hart and daughter Matilda         (photo: Neil Cross)
Olivia Hart and daughter Matilda (photo: Neil Cross)
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Aware that her five year old daughter, Matilda, like youngsters everywhere, was missing schoolfriends due to the latest pandemic restrictions, she thought it would cheer them all up.

Video clips were sent in by the families of nearly all the children, showing each child saying their designated words.

Then, prompted by parents’ positive reaction too, she thought why not cheer other people up too and share it.

The result is a video now up on the Lancashire Post website (see www.lep.co.uk)

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Olivia said: “I think little ones do bring joy. Little ones reading that poem just brings a sense of positivity... I thought it might spread a little bit of joy.”

Hodder teacher Mrs Elise Lester, who is shown reading the final line of the poem which says “We shall not fall” said: “I thought it was lovely. It’s important at time like these that everyone sticks together and helps each other.

"The schoolchildren are going though very difficult times not being in school, not seeing their friends. It’s just nice to see children making a difference and doing their part in the lock-down.I also think children make a difference to everyone...children make you feel happy."

* It is the third video filmlet featuring pupils and/or staff from St Wilfrid’s made in the Covid lockdowns. Previously Mrs Lester was joined by Miss Naomi Sowerbutts and Mrs Wendy Stott to send a message to pupils to stay strong.. It was, said Mrs Lester, to say: “We all miss our family and friends - to see it’s for a reason.”

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Staff also made a humorous video to cheer all in the school community during the current lockdown.

Meanwhile Olivia was inspired to make her short film, which celebrates the children's resilience during the pandemic and a promise of better days ahead, after creating a video in the first lockdown for her elder son and friend with photos of them growing up. She discovered the poem, written by Marcie, aged 10, on the internet.

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