PUPILS at Holbrook Primary School visited the offices of Hitachi in Trowbridge on Tuesday (July 7) to perform a Japanese dance and short drama on their experiences of learning the language.

The school organised the performance at Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions on White Horse Business Park to thank the firm for the support they have provided to the Trowbridge school this year.

Following their performance, the pupils invited Hitachi executives back to the school, where they were holding a Tanabata Festival with staff and parents that included a parade.

Trees in the school grounds were decorated with wishes written in the Japanese language and each class performed a traditional children’s story from Japan.

Finally, every family was presented with a book of traditional Japanese stories as a celebration of the school’s Japan Year. The funding from Hitachi was used to provide copies of the book.

Headteacher Roger Whitewick said: “Introducing Japanese as the target language has made a big difference to the children. We are grateful to Hitachi in Trowbridge who have supported us from the beginning.

“Not only have they funded our book project but they also sent members of their staff who grew up in Japan to talk to our pupils. Their support has been invaluable.”

Tanabata, or the Star Festival, is held on the evening of July 7 and traces its origins to a legend that the Cowherd Star (Altair) and Weaver Star (Vega), lovers separated by the Milky Way, are allowed to meet just once a year - on the seventh day of the seventh month.