South Shields school children impress Princess Anne with their singing voices

Hadrian Primary School Choir, including former pupils from Harton and Mortimer, meet HRH The Princess Royal. Photo credit: Roger Harris.

Hadrian Primary School choir performed for HRH Princess Royal at the annual Mission to Seafarers Christmas Carol Concert in London on Tuesday, December 3.

They were joined by past pupils who left Hadrian in the summer and are now in the Year 7 at Mortimer Community College and Harton Academy.

The choir were invited to perform by Rev Cannon Andrew Wright, who saw the children sing at the South Shields Mission to Seafarers Sea Sunday event in July.

Hadrian Primary School Choir singing in front of Princess Anne at the Mission to Seaman Christmas Carol Concert at St Michael Paternoster Royal in the city of London. Photo credit: Roger Harris.

He was so impressed, he asked the choir to represent the South Shields Mission at the event at St Michael Paternoster Royal, singing alongside the famous Lloyd’s Choir.

After the service the youngsters had the chance to meet HRH Princess Royal, who spent time discussing the children’s performance.

“The opportunity to support the South shields Mission to Seafarers and represent our local area and community, as well as showcase our children’s amazing talent was simply magnificent,” said Mrs Giles, choir lead teacher at Hadrian Primary School.

“This once in a lifetime experience has filled both the hearts and minds of our children and has left them with special memories for the rest of their lives.”

Pupils from Hadrian Primary School Choir meet HRH The Princess Royal. Photo credit: Roger Harris.

Rev Cannon Andrew Wright, secretary general for The Mission to Seafarers commented: “The children were absolutely outstanding, everybody enjoyed their performance so much, including Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, who was so impressed, she commented on how good the choir were in her closing speech.

“Not only was their singing awesome, but their behaviour was superb. They were an absolute delight and I was deeply impressed.”

Peter Boyack, chairman of The Mission to Seafarers, South Shields added: “The choir from Hadrian Primary School have supported the Mission to Seafarers in South Shields for a number of years and have sang at a number of events over this period. They performed in London with real distinction and were a credit to the Mission in South Shields, the school and the town itself.”