‘The Hardest Bridge’ at St Bartholomew’s school, Newbury

by Howard Grace
Photos by Maria Grace

The new documentary film, ‘The Hardest Bridge’ had its first (pre-release) school screening in St. Bartholomew’s school, Newbury, UK. I am the executive producer of the film and had been a former pupil (1951-1958) and a teacher of mathematics (1980-1995) at that school. The Sixth Form (students aged 16-18) enrichment hour with 200 students was hosted by the head boy Charlie Gale and head girl Katya Burgess. Twenty minutes of the film was shown, followed by in depth questions from the students to Jo Berry who is featured in the film, and Dr. Imad Karam the director.

Howard, Jo and Imad

It was a unique experience for the students to engage with people who had such profound life experiences. Imad, who was born and brought up in Gaza shared the challenge he faced when making the film, when many of his family were suffering and being killed in Gaza during the time the film was being made. This is so relevant to Jo’s experience which emerges powerfully in the film.

Charlie and Katya, head boy and Head girl

Message from Katya: 'Thank you so much for making yesterday happen. Both events were truly amazing and I'm so happy we got to do it.'

Message from Charlie: 'Thank you, Jo, and Imad for yesterday. The events were fantastic. Even though we had a much smaller session in the evening, the circle Q&A session was insightful, and it was great to take part.'

Having this event at my old school was special for me. After leaving school in 1958 I did a university degree in London, and also encountered MRA (now ‘Initiatives of Change’). This transformed my motivation and life. Spending the next fourteen years volunteering with IofC mostly overseas, I was engaged with trust building and inspiring change in various situations.

My more recent years have been heavily involved with education. After fifteen years as a teacher in St. Bartholomew’s, I founded and coordinated a programme ‘The IofC Schools Service’ which facilitated about 800 sessions in senior high schools all around the UK.

James Wilder (Head of Sixth Form), Katya Burgess (Head Girl), Tony Vickers (West Berks Council Chair), Charlie Gale (Head Boy), Imad Karam, Jo Berry and Howard Grace

This was in the spirit of what has become the international IofC programme of ‘Education Today, Society Tomorrow’. The event described above exemplifies the heart of this and the values which the younger generation seem to resonate with.

As well as with other aspects of life, Jo Berry and Imad Karam are ready to pitch in with such initiatives in the UK and internationally.