NEARLY 1,000 dance lovers gathered at a primary school for a performance to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.

Pupils from 11 schools across the district headed to St Michael’s Primary School, in Braintree, for the moving event.

Pieces based on themes from the war were performed by some of the schools individually before teachers and community members did their own piece.

All of the schools and performers then took to the school field for a nine-minute piece which brought the event to a close.

In total 515 dancers performed while the audience was packed out with 400 people from an adult community group.

Gemma Wright, from the Dance Network Association which was behind the event, said she was thrilled with how it went.

She said: "We wanted to bring people together to remember all those who fought for us 100 years ago and it was truly inspiring to have almost 1,000 people come and share this moment of commemoration and reflection with us.

"But we also wanted to encourage schools to try dance as a way of ensuring children across Braintree are able to take part in creative activities in school.

"What was really heartening for us was seeing the way we could help build teachers’ confidence in being able to both perform as well as teach dance to their pupils."

Leon Hazlewood and Bobbie Gargrave were responsible for the choreography on the day while Peter Lovell from the Essex Music Education Hub and Phil Toms from University Centre Colchester took care of the music.

Gemma added: "It was also very exciting to bring 11 schools together on one day where they may not otherwise interact and see that they were part of something much larger than simply dancing in their own school.

"We’ve had really great feedback from all involved and we know it will have inspired and motivated children and adults alike to keep dancing.

"We’re looking forward to our next project."

Email info@dancenetworkassociation.org.uk to get involved.