Despite relative peace over the last number of years, there have been some explosions in the Derry city area.
This can put the families living in Newbuildings off going into the city in case they are caught up in the violence. That’s what happened a few months ago when young people practising an opera in St Columb’s Cathedral had to be moved to safety because there was a bomb scare in car park opposite. Children in the court house and old people in a home nearby had to be moved also.
Pupils from St Columba’s Primary School and Newbuildings Primary School gave their thoughts on this incident. Cassie said: “I think the children were terrified because if the bomb went off and some one of their relatives was near the bomb, they might be scared. They were getting moved out of the Cathedral where they were rehearsing - after them working so hard and the opera getting cancelled, they wouldn’t be so happy because all their hard work was for nothing.”
Ethan added: “The people doing that are just wasting their time, it causes chaos in the town, it’s just not fair.” Sinead said: “I think the children would be really scared.” “They were frightened and sad,” said Adam. Mia added: “I thought the way they had to hide was scary.” Kerry remembered a similar incident she was caught up in. She said: “In the Diamond there was a bank and there was a bomb in the bank and my car was stuck there and we had to get a taxi, I was scared.” Her classmate Grace had experience of being evacuated: “When I was doing Irish dancing, we had to get evacuated out of the building. My wee sister was coming on next and she didn’t get to dance and it wasn’t fair on her.”
All the children agreed that the way forward was for Catholics and Protestants to do things together. They were full of ideas of ways that they, as children, could share their space in Newbuildings. They suggested setting up a ‘Newbuildings Got Talent’ competition, a drama club, a book club, sporting activities, day trips away, and taking turns to visit one another’s school on a regular basis.
One girl suggested a summer fair for all the village. It seems that whatever the activity, these children enjoy one another’s company and they hope that the new friendships they have formed through the IFI Sharing in Education programme will continue to grow as they do.
About this article
This article was inspired from a podcast completed by children from St Columba's and New Building's Primary Schools who took part in Headliners Sharing In Education Programme.
They were: Coral 7, Rachel 9, Gabrielle 9, Harry 9, Kacey 8, Cassie 8, Caitlin 8, Annie 9, Nicole 8, Katelyn 8 and Sarra 10.
