Welcome to Sheffield, Little Amal

Little Amal has walked all over Europe as well as many miles in the UK... and today she arrived by barge in Sheffield.  Full info below about this project, which is designed to draw attention to the experiences, needs and rights of young refugees:

https://www.walkwithamal.org/about-us/little-amal/

Amal's arrival at the canal basin in Sheffield turned out to be a joyful occasion. (Photo with more context in the extra).  The canal basin was packed with people from all backgrounds and generations, chatting and socialising to the sounds of a steel band and a street band. I heard old favourites, from rallies and demos of the past, that I have not heard in years: Bandiera Rossa, Bella Ciao... It was a lovely atmosphere. Though I did wonder whether adding a few new songs to the repertoire might be a good idea :-)

I met up with Ruth, Eben, Luca, Jack, Marianna and Frieda down there too.  Keeping track of the little ones in such large and mobile crowds was a bit of a challenge, but we managed (despite Eben's periodic impulses to run off and climb something big in search of a better view).

And the morning's grey clouds and heavy rain had all cleared away, by the time of Amal's arrival just after 4.30 p.m., leaving blue skies and a final few rays of afternoon sunshine.