DAY 6: Barnsley – visit to Cannon Hall Farm & Concert 

The boys have had such a wonderful day today. They were dropped off by their hosts at 07:30 this morning at the Holiday Inn again, from where we departed for a fun-filled morning at Cannon Hall Farm. Cannon Hall Farm is a large, family run, farm attraction. Situated in rolling foothills, it’s home to hundreds of animals. The farm also features one of the biggest and best equipped playgrounds in the north of England and the largest tube maze in Europe. 

Our boys could not contain themselves when they saw the colourful playground in the restaurant area. They immediately kicked off their shoes and jumped into the ball box, glided down the slides, swung on the giant swings, climbed up and down the jungle gym, played some soccer – just being boys actually. Many boys told me that it was so wonderful to just feel like a kid again, which tugged at my heartstrings, because they ARE all still kids. Our rushed lives and the omnipotent presence of technology have sadly caused a steady decline in our ability to just BE. This morning was a thankful reminder to our boys to live in the moment, and above all else, have fun while doing it. 

The boys were taken on a tour of the farm, and they enjoyed looking at all the different farm animals – we also saw a few animals that you would not usually spot in South Africa: the alpacas, lamas and turkeys drew some interesting comments from the boys. It was a really informative and enjoyable morning. To end off the morning’s activities, the boys could watch a sheep race – these sheep love to run and race in a daily race. The boys could place free bets at the bookies, and if your sheep wins, you could win a free pass to come back to the farm. The winner of today’s bet was Meister – he bet on the yellow sheep, and said that the secret to the fastest sheep, lies in the tail…..hmm, OK Meister. He said he gave one look at the yellow sheep’s tail, and knew it was going to bring him luck. According to my sources, Meister cannot wait to come back to Barnsley with his girlfriend Meret next year, to share his newfound joy of sheep racing with her…..

After a scrumptious party-style lunch of chicken wings, fish fingers, sausage rolls, chips, sandwiches and slices of pizza – again so generously sponsored by the angels involved with the Barnsley Youth Choir – we sang a few farewell busking songs and then departed for The Fairwayin Barnsley - a convention centre where the boys could have some sleep time and then a rehearsal for tonight’s concert at the Emmanuel Church. The boys needed no motivation to lie down for a snooze, and content sounds of exhaustion and light snoring could be heard almost immediately.

Our final concert in Barnsley started at 20:00, with a full house. What an electrifying concert! The boys gave it their all – they sang and performed their hearts out. The wonderfully receptive audience seemed to thoroughly enjoy the boys’ performance, and applauded with gusto. Curse upon iron, Bohemian Rhapsody and 24K/Uptown Funk/Can’t stop the feeling received hearty standing ovations. Today was also the birthday of one of our Grade 9 boys, Luke Jansen van Vuuren. At the end of the concert, the whole audience sang Happy Birthday to him, after the Barnsley Youth Choir presented him with a birthday cake on the stage. He was then lifted onto the shoulders of his Grade 9 classmates - a truly special moment.

Tonight was the perfect ending to the three most amazing days here in the friendly town of Barnsley. We have met the most caring and kind people, and I am sure that the boys have forged friendships that will last a lifetime. I honestly don’t know how to put into words how much Mat Wright and his efficient and passionate team from the Barnsley Youth Choir have done for us these past couple of days. But what I do know, is that they have left handprints on our hearts, and I hope that we will be able to host them again soon in South Africa so that we can repay their kindness. We will leave tomorrow morning with a song in our hearts, knowing that we have been so privileged to have had this experience. Until we meet again, angels of Barnsley – thank you, thank you, thank you.