Saints come alive at castle

4:13pm Monday 1st December 2008

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Children from an Oxford estate are set to perform a Christmas play telling the story of the city’s saints at Oxford Castle.

Pupils from Pegasus Primary School, in Blackbird Leys, will be performing Saints of Oxford at the castle complex tomorrow and on Thursday.

Their first performance coincides with the unveiling of a new plaque commemorating St Frideswide, and the founding of the convent on the banks of the River Thames from which the city grew.

School headteacher Jill Hudson said: “Our school serves an area of significant deprivation in the city of Oxford and few of our children or families really engage with the history of the city.

“This is the second time that we have written our own production, bringing another aspect of the city’s past vividly to life in sound, light and music at the castle.”

Children have spent weeks researching the history both of well-known saints such as St George, and those who are less familiar, including St Ebba, St Clement and St Giles.

Helen de May, learning and access officer at Oxford Castle, said: “It’s going to be fantastic.

“There are churches and streets in Oxford named after saints, and not everybody knows the stories behind them. There is an awful lot for people to discover.”

The plaque to St Frideswide, a part of the castle’s timeline, will be unveiled at 6pm tomorrow, with the performance following at 6.30pm in the castle yard.

More than 100 youngsters will have roles in the play.

The Oxford Preservation Trust has also been involved and director Debbie Dance said: “The timeline has been a great success and makes the story of Oxford accessible to so many people as they pass through the castle yard.

“Recognising St Frideswide’s place in this was an omission we are pleased to put right.

“We are also delighted to be hosting Pegasus School’s production on the Oxford saints.

“To have the children there to help us mark the occasion is wonderful — it is just what the castle and the education work we do is all about.”

The play, which features steel drums, handbells and singing, is open to all.

Tickets cost £3 and can be bought in advance from Oxford Castle or from the school on 01865 777175.

fbardsley@oxfordmail.co.uk