Octave on stage
Panel need more helpers Sound of success
Wishaw residents are being encouraged to volunteer and become members of the Children’s Panel.
Scotland’s Children’s Hearings system relies on around 2,500 people from all walks of life, who give their time and commitment voluntarily to train and serve as Children’s Panel members.
Panel members are fully trained to sit on hearings in their local authority area.
North Lana r k s h i re Council’s panel committee officer Mark Hamill said: “You will have the opportunity to take part in important decisions which will improve the lives of children who may be in trouble, or who are in need of care and protection.
“Children helped by the panel come from all different backgrounds so we need people from all areas of the community to support them.
“Decisions made by the panel can have a lasting effect on a young person’s life such as being taken into care or moved to a loving and stable foster home giving them the chance to develop in a safe environment.”
If you are interested in applying to become a panel member, please visit t h e C h i l d re n ’ s Panel website at www. childrenspanelscotland.org.
Lanarkshire singing ensemble Octave are preparing to take to the stage for their seventh series of annual charity concerts.
The highly- rated group are preparing a brand new programme of music including Broadway musicals, classical and popular music wi t h something to suit all tastes.
The group were formed by renowned local musical director, David Fisher, in 2011 and have been performing at various charity and fundraising events over the last seven years.
In 2013, Octave was awarded ‘Best in Class’ in the Mixed Voice Choir section of the Glasgow Music Festival.
The members of the group include Janis Cunningham from Wishaw, Esther O’Hara and Raymond Tulips who hail from Motherwell and Carluke’s Jonathan Procter.
Group member John McKenzie said: “The group are entirely voluntary, and after the deduction of running costs, surplus funds are given to charity.
“As a result of the concerts so far, and other charitable events, the group have made sizeable donations amounting to over £15,000 to many deserving causes.
“This year’s recipient charity is Pancreatic Cancer Scotland.”
All the members have been principal performers in top clubs in Lanarkshire and Glasgow with roles in My Fair Lady, Witches of Eastwick, Sound of Music, Carousel, The King And I, Fiddler on the Roof, Kiss me Kate and Guys and Dolls.
This year’s fundraising concerts entitled Octave Double GLO 7 will be held every evening from Wednesday, September 6, to Saturday, September 9, at 7.30pm in Motherwell’s GLO Auditorium.
Tickets, priced £ 12 and £13, are available from Shona Fisher on 01698 721607, by emailing shona. fisher2@ mail.com or from the GLO Centre Bookshop.
More details are on the group’s website at www. octave8.uk