Children from five schools in and around Maidenhead, that have taken part in the Never Such Innocence competition, performed music and poetry inspired by the Centenary of the First World War and learnt more about the CWGC’s work of caring for the graves and memorials to those who died.

The 2017/18 Never Such Innocence competition, supported by The Royal British Legion, the National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund, and RAF100, invites children and young people to submit poetry, art and songs inspired by the events of the Great War. On their journey to 2018, Never Such Innocence and RAF100 are encouraging children aged between nine and 16-years-old to consider the war in the skies as part of their contribution to the competition to mark 100 years since the formation of the world’s first independent air force.

The event was hosted by Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, CWGC’s Vice Chairman and President of NSI. He said: “It is such a privilege to be partnered with Never Such Innocence in the Royal Air Force’s 100th year. Never Such Innocence is a remarkable initiative dedicated to educating younger generations from across the world about the First World War. Focusing the 2018 competition on the ‘War in the Skies’ presents a superb opportunity for Never Such Innocence and the Royal Air Force to jointly commemorate and pay homage to our brave and glorious predecessors, the earliest pioneers of aviation.”

The schools participated in a number of workshops and performed music and poetry throughout the event. Children from the Piggot School performed alongside the Royal Air Force Salon Orchestra.

Key speakers included Sir Tim Laurence, Lady Lucy French, Founder and Chief Executive of Never Such Innocence, Air Vice Marshal Mike Wigston, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff, and Victoria Wallace, the CWGC’s Director General.