PUPILS from seven Denbighshire schools dressed-up as 'Tommies' and made colourful forget-me-nots as part of a project commemorating the First World War.

The project was organised by the North Wales International Music Festival who chose 'reflections' as the theme for this year’s event to mark the 100th anniversary of the Armistice.

The festival is held every year in St Asaph Cathedral where the youngsters congregated with Corwen artists Ben Davis and his partner Jude Wood to make 1,200 forget-me-nots, which were used to decorate the cathedral.

Mr Davis explained: “Forget-me-not flowers were drawn on letters sent home by soldiers during the First World War, while poppies became a symbol of the end of the war.”

The pupils from Ysgol Caer Drewyn and Ysgol Carrog, Corwen, Ysgol Llanbedr DC, Ysgol Trefnant, Ysgol Henllan, Ysgol Esgob Morgan, St Asaph and Ysgol y Llys, Prestatyn remembered the nearly 50 servicemen from St Asaph who never returned home from the Great War and whose names are engraved on the city’s cenotaph.

The names include private Hubert Stanley Belcher whose father was the organist at the cathedral, and lieutenant Henry Laidley Garland Edwards, whose father was the Bishop.

The festival’s artistic director, Ann Atkinson, said: “This year we wanted to commemorate the centenary of the Armistice and reflect upon the end of World War One.

“We wanted to remember the centenary of the Armistice and children have been shown the cathedral’s memorial to the Royal Welch Fusiliers and the plaque which commemorates the Welsh nurses who lost their lives in the First World War.”

The project was supported by a grant from the Arts Council of Wales, which enabled Mr Davis, Ms Wood and musician Sioned Webb to visit the schools during the two weeks leading up to the day.

Alongside the project, children had the opportunity to take part in workshops with the cathedral’s education department, performers from the Bodelwyddan Castle and Trust, members of the Royal Welch Fusiliers and musician Sian James.

Teacher Bethan Hughes, from Ysgol y Llys in Prestatyn, said: “It’s wonderful and a great way to enhance learning. Children have been making forget-me-not flowers as an art project, learning wartime songs and Welsh poetry."

Pupils were also delighted with the day. Elen Lewis, 10, from Ysgol y Llys, said: “It’s been very good and I have enjoyed learning all about the First World War. The art work has been fantastic and I’ve really enjoyed making the forget-me-not flowers.

“I also liked learning Pack up your Troubles, it’s quite catchy and nothing like the modern songs we would normally listen too.

Schoolmate Dylan Peter Cartledge, 10, said: “It’s important we remember the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One. It’s been a good project to be involved in.”

From Ysgol Esgob Morgan, Elliot Parry, aged 11, said: “It’s been really, really interesting. I loved hearing all about Mr Jones’ grandfather and great uncle.“

Fellow pupil, Eva Jones, 10, added: “I’ve really enjoyed learning all about the First World War and seeing the medals and uniforms. I’ve liked listening to stories about the war and singing some of the songs.”

This excitement was echoed by Iwan Hughes, aged eight, from Ysgol Henllan, who said: “I really liked the talk about the First World War and what soldiers had to do. It’s amazing that the war was 100 years ago and some people didn’t know about what happened.

“I’ve really enjoyed the art work and making the flowers. They look really good in the cathedral. I’m glad we made the flowers.”