Friendship, joy and creativity took over the well attended Rock Challenge and J Rock event last week which saw plenty of Copeland’s schoolchildren show off their moves. Rock Challenge was introduced to the UK in 1996 with the aim of helping young people enjoy school and live lifestyles free of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. A junior version, J Rock, was brought into place for young people aged seven to 11 (predominantly primary schools) The schools rehearse in front of their peers and support one another before performing their five to eight minute dance, drama and design routine to a live audience of friends, family, VIP guests and a panel of judges. Awards are made for best choreography, performance skill, stage use, concept, drama, soundtrack, set design, costuming character, visual enhancement, lighting and stage crew, spirit of J Rock, costumes, and student leadership. Top placing teams qualify through to a regional final which is held at Grimsby. This year the Carlisle round was spread over two days the Thursday (14th) and Friday (15th). Friday saw a joint team from Orgill and Moor Row primary schools take first place at the junior level, with a piece called ‘Simba’s Pride...Never Forget Who You Are’. It was the first time that Moor Row primary school had entered the competition. Beckermet Church of England Primary came second with ‘Join the Circus’ - showing an attempted escape from an abusive circus ringmaster. Taking third place was Victoria junior school, from Workington, with ‘I am what I am’ - Victor Frankenstein’s creature finds himself rejected and feared and returns for acceptance from his creator and to discover who he is on the inside. Six schools from across West Cumbria took part on Thursday. There was also fantastic premier showcases from West Lakes Academy, Egremont and St Benedict’s Catholic High School, Whitehaven. St Benedict’s performed ‘While there’s Life, there is Hope’ based on Stephen Hawking’s life and legacy. West Lakes Academy, performed their piece ‘No good will come from a woman at sea’. Showing what happens when the sea Gods are angered by pirates. All performances were fantastic! Well done to all involved!