Young voices get chance to sing together
Kent Music is launching free try-out days to give youngsters who enjoy singing in a group the chance to extend their skills.
Singers aged eight to 21 can join Saturday sessions with Kent Music’s junior and youth ensembles at New Line Learning Academy in Boughton Lane, Maidstone, on January 14, February 4 and March 11. The try-out days run from 9.45am to 3.30pm.
County choirs manager Elizabeth Samson said: “This is a great opportunity for any keen singer to find out what it is like singing as a member of a group, and perhaps to join one of our ensembles, make new friends and be tutored by some of Kent’s best singing teachers.”
Kent County Junior Singers and Kent County Junior Choir (for ages eight to 14) meet every month on a Saturday at New Line Learning Academy.
Kent Youth Singers and Kent Youth Choir, for ages 14-21, meet for three-day residential courses during the holidays and perform across the county.
See www.kent-music.com Residents fed up with the dilapidated nature of parts of their estate have banded together to do something about it.
They have formed the Shepway Chariots with the aim of driving forward positive change and good things are already taking shape.
The team was founded by mums on a mission Sarah Russell and Nikki Gough.
Mrs Russell said: “There is a disused allotment off Hampshire Drive that has just been left to go to rack and ruin.
“We want to start my doing something with that – turning it into a community allotment and involving schools and residents to make it productive again and somewhere where the community can get together and learn about food and wildlife.”
To get to the allotment, visitors have to walk through a disused car park, which has its own problems. Mrs Gough, of Lincoln Road, said: “It’s an unloved bit of land that has become a fly-tippers’ paradise.
“Worse, at night it is used for anti-social behaviour, and nearby residents have to put up with the sound of loud music playing and cars.”
Maidstone council has agreed to give the Chariots a lease for the allotments, while Golding Homes, which owns the car park, has chipped in with a grant of £1,000. Mrs Russell, from Hamp- shire Drive, said: “We’d like to get Molehill and Greenfields schools taking part in the allotment and we’ve identified some elderly residents with a lot of gardening expertise, who are perhaps not so fit anymore, but are willing to advise the youngsters.”
The Chariots are planning work parties soon and hope to launch the allotment next Easter with a family fun day. Cllr Eddie Powell (Ukip) has become a trustee for the charitable incorporated organisation.
He said: “They have a real passion and determination to do something for their neighbourhood.
“In these days of budget pressures, they have realised it is no good sitting around hoping the council will do something – they are doing it themselves.”
If you can help ring Mrs Gough on 07960 989785. Forget reindeer, spend time with the goats at Buttercups Sanctuary. From 10am and 3pm between Tuesday, December 27, and Saturday, December 31, you can get close to the animals, with goat walks from noon. Entry is by donation to the charity, in Wierton Road, Boughton Monchelsea.