Stamford College, part of Inspire Education Group, in conjunction with the Stamford Diversity Group and Stamford Town Council, hosted a festive Christmas party for over 100 members of the local Ukrainian community, where guests enjoyed family fun, food, games, poetry and music.
Stamford College had hosted a similar meal, a Ukrainian Welcome Dinner, in the summer months, where Scott Coe, Stamford Poet Laureate, read a poem that he had written titled, ‘Would I Be Brave Enough?’ (see below). Subsequently, Nataliia Yakovleva, the Stamford Ukrainian filmmaker, asked Scott for permission to send his poignant words to Ukraine, for the famous composer, Ruslan Kvinta, former producer of Ukraine’s Eurovision selection, to set to music. British-Ukrainian local music teacher, Mike Tymoczko, who heads up the local Ukrainian choir voluntarily, received the composition, extracted the backing track and recorded it as a version with local singer and Stamford College student, Ghost White. With Ruslan’s permission, the song was premiered live to all 100 Ukrainians attending the festive family party at the College. Ghost was delighted to be asked to perform live; “I felt amazed to see such a large group of people interact as if they were one big family – the atmosphere was absolutely incredible! Seeing everybody having such a good time, despite recent events, inspired me to want to do my very best to perform and bring the poem to life”.
Guests also enjoyed poetry recitals by Scott Coe himself, as well as from Stamford’s Youth Poet Laureate and Stamford College English Tutor, Daniel Paice. Second Helpings, George's Hub and the Rotary Club of Stamford also collected and donated presents for the Ukrainian children. The Catering & Hospitality students of the College voluntarily served a party buffet, whilst students from the Childcare and Hair & Beauty departments entertained the children, using their expertise to do face painting and run party games. Emma Hemmings, Assistant Principal for Curriculum at Stamford College, commented, “It’s a pleasure to work alongside Stamford Town Council and Stamford Diversity Group to support the local Ukrainian Community. It was a great opportunity for our students to showcase their skills and work with the young people and their families. At Inspire Education Group we feel that we have a civic responsibility and we are always happy to support our local community”.
Yvette Diaz-Munoz, Chair of Stamford Diversity Group showed her appreciation for all those involved in the organisation of the event; “We are hugely grateful to Stamford College staff and students who put so much into the event. We are also thankful for all the kind donations that enabled this event to take place, including Christmas presents from Second Helpings and the Rotary Club, and a generous financial donation from a local councillor to support the work that we are doing with Ukrainian refugees”. Councillor Amanda Wheeler from Stamford Town Council, who worked alongside Yvette in coordinating a team of volunteers working with the Ukrainian community, said, “This is the second event we’ve held at Stamford College and we were overwhelmed by how helpful the staff and students have been. Highlights were the powerful performance by Ghost and the frantic Pass the Parcel game at the end of the evening – a first for the Ukrainian children!”
Ukrainians interested in attending future events can contact the Stamford Diversity Group directly, via stamforddiversitygroup@gmail.com
‘Would I Be Brave Enough?’ – Scott Coe (2022)
North when discussing the party.
Would I be brave enough?
To pick up a gun
To defend my people
From being overrun
Would I be brave enough?
To make a stand
To challenge a soldier
Who’s invaded my land
Would I be brave enough?
To defy my orders
To lay down my gun
And stop the slaughter
Would I be brave enough?
To join a protest
Against a dictator
And risk arrest
And would I be brave enough?
To face him down
And put a bullet
Into his crown
Would I be brave enough?
To wear the shoes
Of all the brave souls
I see on the news.
