Over 100 performers with special educational needs staged an eight-minute flash mob in Portsmouth’s Guildhall Square yesterday, celebrating 200 years of Great Western Railway through dance and elaborate costumes.
The spectacular performance took place at 11:30am on Tuesday, June 17, with dancers of all ages telling the story of Britain’s railway heritage through movement and vibrant period dress. The event marked two centuries since the creation of the Great Western Railway, originally designed by Portsmouth’s own engineering legend Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
City of Portsmouth College coordinated the impressive display, bringing together performers from various special educational needs and disability (SEND) organisations across the city. The project received financial backing from Great Western Railway’s Customer and Community Improvement Fund.
Months of Preparation Pay Off
James Rogers, a sixth form student at City of Portsmouth College who performed dressed as a train conductor, described the experience as “incredible” following two months of intensive preparation.
“Things have gone really well,” Rogers told reporters. “We wanted to showcase the 200 years of GWR and the incredible invention.”
The 17-year-old from Baffins, who attends Highbury College Foundation Prospects, was among performers representing multiple local institutions including Chaos Support, Creative Advances, Mary Rose Academy, City of Portsmouth College, and Redwood Park Academy.
Celebrating Local Heritage
Performers dazzled spectators with an array of bright colours and elaborate period costumes, with one dancer even portraying Isambard Kingdom Brunel himself. The choreography traced the evolution of rail transport from its Victorian origins to the present day.
Sarah Hume, the flash mob’s coordinator and special needs coach at City of Portsmouth College, expressed her pride in showcasing the city’s railway heritage.
“It’s brilliant to showcase 200 years of modern railway through costume, movement and dance,” Hume said. “It’s fantastic to highlight local history. I think it’s a fantastic city and so many great things have come out of Portsmouth such as Isambard Kingdom Brunel.”
“I’m so proud to be born here and celebrating our railway which is right here,” she added.
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Part of Global Celebrations
The Portsmouth performance formed part of worldwide Railway 200 commemorations, with 363 events taking place globally to mark the bicentennial milestone.
Hume explained that the college eagerly seized the opportunity to participate when they discovered funding was available through Great Western Railway’s community programme.
“A lot of our students are really passionate about railways,” she noted. “I think it’s such an important thing to celebrate because it’s such an important part of our lives.”
Born on April 9, 1806, Isambard Kingdom Brunel remains celebrated as one of England’s most influential civil and mechanical engineers, having designed and built the Great Western Railway that transformed British transport infrastructure.
The successful flash mob demonstrated the powerful combination of community spirit, historical celebration, and inclusive performance that continues to make Portsmouth a vibrant cultural centre.
