Blind Choir From Sierra Leone August 07

Friday 3rd August
The Sierra Leone Blind School Choir concert was a huge success. The following account appeared, slightly shortened, in the Hastings Observer:

Deeply moved, the whole audience of 400 people gave a 10-minute standing ovation and clapped their appreciation to the rhythm of traditional folk and gospel songs, as the 25-strong choir from the Milton Margai Blind School danced off the stage at the end of an amazing performance at St Mary-in-the-Castle on Friday.

The choristers, drummers and percussionists, assisted by composer Alie Conteh on the keyboard, thrilled everyone present with their 100-minute programme, entitled “Sing Freetown”, telling the history of Sierra Leone, from the abolition of slavery and the founding of Freetown, through the crown colony’s independence in 1961, to the devastating 11-year rebel war, the restoration of peace and democracy and the children’s hopes for a better future. The music mixed traditional West African songs and hymns, specially composed items, drums and dance, the whole pacy programme being structured by the delightful voices of young narrators Joanna Davies and Osman Kamara, who conveyed in just a few words the story of Sierra Leone’s journey to democracy, and the young people’s pride in their country. At times it was easy to forget that singers and musicians were all blind, or nearly so, as they moved around the stage, dancing rhythmically and keeping perfect time.

The youngsters had spent the afternoon in Hastings, enjoying the sunshine on the beach and the rides at the Flamingo Park fun-fair, before going off to Blacklands Church where they were delighted to find that the Hastings Sierra Leone Friendship Link’s ex-pat friends had provided a delicious meal of food familiar to them, including their favourite cassava leaf soup. The Link members who looked after the choristers in the afternoon were deeply impressed with their dignity, the way they helped each other the whole time and their refusal to let their blindness stop them having fun. One of the boys said: “We’re learning so much about Britain and life, it’s a wonderful opportunity for us to come here.”

The concert was part of the second UK tour organised by the charity which supports the Blind School, and which is chaired by former British High Commissioner Sir Peter Penfold, who is also Patron of the Link. Sir Peter thanked Hastings for inviting the choir down and for looking after them so well, and spoke briefly about his association and the School’s needs. Jeremy Birch, vice-chair of the Friendship Link, expressed everyone’s admiration for the choir’s talent and zest for living. The audience clearly agreed: a bucket-collection realised an incredible £750, bringing the total raised by the event to around £3,000. The money will be shared equally by the two charities.

Derek Tomblin, chairman of the Link, said: “It was a thrilling yet humbling experience to witness the vitality and optimism of these young people in spite of all the disadvantages they have to face. I’d like to thank everyone who came along and gave so generously, Hastings Borough Council for its tremendous support, and Glenn and Cathy Khan and the whole Sonrise Church team, who beavered away all week to get St Mary-in-the-Castle ready in time and provided a very professional team of stewards to ensure the evening ran smoothly. It was wonderful that the very first event in the ‘new’ St Mary-in-the-Castle was such an inspiring concert that sent us out into the night, glad to be alive.”

Anyone who would like to support either the Link or the choir can get more information on-line at www.hastingshastings.org.uk or www.miltonmargaischool.org, or contact Robin Gray on 436603.