PRESS RELEASE
19.12.2014
26.01.10
Shackleton’s stowaway inspires Maesglas school boys
In 1914 a Newport lad by the name of Perce Blackborow stowed away on the
Ernest Shackleton ship, Endurance. The ship was bound for Antartica and on
the third day Perce was discovered. He managed to persuade Shackleton to
keep him on-board as a steward and proved an asset to the expedition. He was
later awarded the Bronze Polar Medal.
Perce Blackborow grew up and lived in Newport; in the Pill and Maesglas
areas. Newport-based housing association, Newport City Homes (NCH) wanted
local school children to know about the daring adventure of one of the city’s
own. In order to do this they commissioned Tim Godwin from Thrift Theatre to
work with a small class of boys in Maesglas Primary School.
In one day the pupils took part in a creative project which culminated in writing
and performing a song about Perce. Teaching Assistant, Vicki Pettican said that
they boys: “have really blossomed…their confidence has shot sky high!” from
working with Tim.
You can see a short film of the project at: http://youtu.be/v-CBPaG6ckk