5 May 2022
Sally Bavage writes:
No, not the wonderful WW1 memoir by Vera Brittain but a finale to the series of creative poetry writing workshops at Ralph Thoresby school, headed up by Testament. This internationally acclaimed poet, writer and performer worked with a group of 20 young writers ranging in age from 11 to 15 to encourage them in writing about their own ideas. To find light in the darkest of times, to create original writing and get the power of the words down on paper. Then to share them, after some rehearsal, with a whole year group. In the drama theatre, on stage in front of spotlights. So no pressure then!
I was in awe of the composure and clarity of the performers themselves, a humbling experience to watch the confidence of these youngsters just grow as they took to the mike. Would you have done that at their age?? And what an experience to take forward into their futures – writing words that were carefully crafted, performing them to a theatre full of peers, knowing that your voice matters.
Testament himself also shared with the writers and the audience some details of his own journey through young years that were not easy. How he was proud of his mixed Ghanaian and English family and cultures – and how facing up to challenges made you stronger. As an ordinary boy from a London school he now has an extraordinary career performing and writing for a wide range of international media, even recently teaching Poet Laureate Simon Armitage to beatbox for a BBC Radio 4 programme. He was Channel 4 Writer in Residence at the Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre in 2019 and his show 'Orpheus in the Record Shop' opened at Leeds Playhouse in 2020.
He thoroughly enjoyed his time at Ralph Thoresby and commented:
'Hearing a young person (who not part of the original writer’s group) be unconfident about what they wrote, then receive praise about it, and then have the courage to share it in front of the whole year group in the hall.
A young girl who is part of the writers' group - initially skeptical about writing in this new way - who was really buzzing about what she wrote and performed.
Having the mix of students who were working with more established writers was great and seeing how their peers respected their work.'
Headteacher Will Carr commented that 'The pandemic had affected the social and emotional health of many students, and having such a brilliant opportunity to explore personal fears and feelings was a massive bright spot and a lifeline for particular students.'
And deputy headteacher Steve Hackshaw : 'Kate always does some fantastic work to support these young writers.'
And Kate Wolstenholme herself: 'What Testament drew out of the kids was phenomenal. I loved the positivity he built at the start of the performance - the idea that expressing yourself is scary, the idea that any one of the audience could be a successful artist, that this is possible.
The work produced was excellent - imagery, dystopian settings and the scope of their imaginations were all utilised in a stealthy and non-threatening way. Andy made a point of making each of those pupils feel special and seen - something they will never forget. I sometimes feel like I have the best job in the world when I hear creative pieces performed by these amazing young people. Having seen Testament perform on our Arvon residential trip, I knew how powerful he would be - he exceeded my expectations. His linking of Hip Hop to dystopian literature was a perfect way of conveying the power of language and creativity to our young people.
Ralph Thoresby have a history of offering space and inspiration for creativity – I’m really proud of this. Sally Bavage, of Headingley LitFest, has invested many hours of her spare time to allow us to pay for professional writers to give workshops and performances. I’d like to say a huge thanks to the festival team – and especially Sally - for their support'.
Grateful thanks are given to the Outer West Area Management Committee of councillors, whose funding for a visiting poet allowed this to go ahead.
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