The Renga Relay poetry batons were created by children aged 7-11 who attended the summer writing workshops in Crown Street library, Darlington. Their verses and chorus have been woven into the Renga Relay which is being supported by Ian MacMillan. Ian wrote the first stanza in the sequence for Barnard Castle’s Winning Words project back in June. The poem has been touring schools and libraries in the area since and is now back with Ian to add the finishing touches and hopefully record the entire relay which will be heard during the Celebration event at NeST on Thursday 4th October, National Poetry Day.
Renga Relay
pass on this great torch
through these streets paved with North’s gold:
pass it to your Mam …
chicken wire, flames, burning
greet crowds with Olympic cheer
nerves race, heart beating
pulse flies sky high rapidly
raise the flag of hope
everyone celebrates
a once in a lifetime chance
race now catch the torch
who will win bronze, silver, gold
London Twenty Twelve
now mam sprints like someone cool
for those who lost and who won
cheering supporters
encourage their favourites
to golden glory
14, 13, 25,
a hoard of bronze, silver, gold
football, basketball,
diving, racing, training hard
gold Olympic flame
we’re going to win, win, win,
we’re going for a medal
eyes on the finish
supporters’ shouts echo round
gold is oh so near
we’re going to win, win, win,
we’re going for a medal
record hero wow
medal winning podium first place
proud mind determined future
we’re going to win, win, win
we’re going for a medal
beat mum to the finish
I can win a gold medal
I win the medal
As the country’s paralympians start their quest to win a hoard of medals, our thanks go to the following people for participating in the Renga Relay:
Ian Macmillan, Turrets Youth Theatre Group, Key Stage 2 children from Forest of Teesdale Primary School, Montalbo Key Stage 2 Pupils, Heighington School Years 1 & 2, Butterknowle School Key Stage 2, Jenny Teale from Darlington, Crown Street library summer school participants: Sofia, Poppy, Annie, CharlotteT. and Charlotte S. who used the Winning Words Generator game to produce the poetry batons.
winningwordsatbarnardcastlenest 