Shed@ThePark Theatre Company have been wowed by the creative talents of students at Thomas Harding Junior school. The Inclusive Theatre Company led a day's workshop exploring the themes of Fairtrade through dance, song and drama. Their aim was to spark imaginations ready for the students to write poetry that will support local Fairtrade initiatives.

Lyndsey Gonzalez-Romero, Artistic Director of Shed, commented, "It was education at its best: a hands-on example of how the Arts can enrich learning and an example of how the school is developing the global dimensions of its own school curriculum."

Students at Thomas Harding Junior school needed little encouragement to be involved in such an interactive day as the school constantly strivies to offer diverse ways into learning to enrich their students.

The workshop is a part of the Chesham4Fairtrade poetry project where the charity is challenging the people of Chesham and the Chilterns to write a poem about Fairtrade, to help celebrate Chesham's first five years since becoming the first Fairtrade Town in Buckinghamshire.

Wannabe local poets are being given the chance to win prizes of book vouchers and Fairtrade chocolates. Not only that, there will be the chance to read your poem, or have your poem read out, at a special awards evening at the Elgiva next year.

The winning poem will also be used as a creative stimulus by Shed@ThePark Theatre Company in one of their 2010 performances.

Chairman of Chesham4Fairtrade, Rev. Colin Cartwright commented, "I look forward, with our four judges, to reading the poems and to seeing how the good news of Fairtrade has inspired local people to make a difference in our world by supporting farmers in the developing world when they go shopping."

To see the competition rules, so that you can take part yourself, visit our competition page.

Published: 7 December 2009