Camden News - by SARAH MANN Published: 23 December 2008
Brecknock primary school nativity cast members, back row, from left: Katie Murphy and Amal Ali. Front row, from left: Geanot Christian, Michael Alelegn and Qadar Nur
Leak can’t dampen actors’ festive spirit
CHILDREN at Brecknock Primary School managed to perform their nativity play against all the odds after a burst water main forced them to put all their Christmas celebrations on hold. The Camden Town school had to reschedule its festive fair and nativity performances when a leak in nearby York Way on Thursday led to lessons being cancelled for nearly three days.
Headteacher Sue Ladipo said: “The children had been really looking forward to performing their plays and several of the Year 1 children burst into tears when I told them we had to reschedule. “Now, after all the disappointment from having to put everything on hold, we are absolutely delighted that the children are finally able to perform the show to their parents.”
At least half of London’s water pipes are more than 100 years old and Thames Water believes that increased road traffic, combined with the colder weather, is putting extra strain on them, making the fragile structures more prone to bursting.
Thames Water is currently in the process of replacing mains across the city and aim to have installed 1,300 miles of new pipes by 2010.
A Thames Water spokesman said: “We would like to apologise to all those affected by the burst and for the inconvenience caused.”
The Year 2 production of The Sleepy Shepherd was performed to an audience of parents and teachers on Tuesday and the school rescheduled its Year 1 play and Christmas fair for Wednesday.