#NorfolkArmistice: Requiem for a Requiem

Only a week ago today, we had just begun the first of two performances of Requiem: An Act of Remembrance, in Great Yarmouth's mini-Albert Hall, the Hippodrome Circus.

It's only now I can find the words to say thank you. I'm not naming anyone specifically, because I'll end up leaving someone out and causing trouble. But please, know that my thanks are sincerely heartfelt!

I was the project co-ordinator, working, if I'm honest, at the outermost reaches of my comfort zone, more used to chasing applause than risk assessments. Thank you to all who gave me advice - and contact details...

Thank you to all the many high profile partner organisations, the funders, the supporters and the participants. The numbers and logistics of a project this size are astonishing: 300 young people across 15 different schools and colleges, variously participating in research trips, a steering group, exhibition writing, creative writing, visual arts, spoken word performance, film-making, choral singing, composition, rehearsal and performance. All the trips needed permissions and risk assessments, all the performers needed licenses, all the visits and instruments needed transport.

Thank you to all the partners, who provided exceptionally high workshop content, for mentoring and encouraging the young people, for being flexible to fit around the school timetables, and for being so patient when the snow forced us to reschedule.

Thank you to the venue for not charging us twice...

Thanks to everyone for still participating even when the new date clashed with the local agricultural show (which dominates everything in a county like Norfolk), exams, work-experience, and all manner of other end-of-term shenanigans.

Thank you to the young people for their enthusiasm and hard work, and to their teachers for keeping them involved against the odds.

Thank you to the VIPs and funders for their support and advocacy.

It's been a roller coaster ride and at times I wanted to get off, but now we've successfully reached the end, just like with a rollercoaster, all I want is to do it all again!!