Art competition & trip to Gallipoli

The Trustees decided to utilise funds left over from the centenary to support a Hampshire school on a tour of Gallipoli. Brune Park School in Gosport was chosen. It was decided to select the students by holding an art competition amongst Year 9 students in 2018. Ten winners would get a place a five day visit to the peninsula, the following year. An artist in residence, funded by the GA, supported the students. The competition attracted a great deal of interest and the quality of entries was very impressive. The exhibition evening was one of the best attended parents events ever.

Some of the art work at Brune Park

Gallipoli Tour 2019

The students who produced the best artwork were given subsidised places on a tour of the peninsula. As usual, we used the excellent services of Battle Honours Tours. Stephen Chambers, the GA historian, and Ian Binnie, the Education Co-ordinator, accompanied the tour. It was a great success. The behaviour and attitude of the students was outstanding. The students attended AGM three months later and made a presentation about their experiences. This was in conjunction with a visit to the Imperial War Museum. To quote the teacher in charge, Tom Andrew:

“In 25 years of teaching it was the most enlightening and deeply joyful experience I have ever had … The impact on the students - all of them - has been profound … an unbelievable life affirming experience”.

The Brune Park party.

Students place poppies in Green Hill Cemetery.