Eavis opens new era for school

Michael Eavis, promoter of the Glastonbury Festival, opens the new Music Centre at Chew Valley School

Diverse sounds blasted out across the Chew Valley as the new Chew Valley School Music Centre Opening celebrations were launched. Music is a popular activity at the school, with over 200 pupils learning musical instruments or taking voice lessons. The Music Centre was initially buzzing with buskers, jazz and rock bands, pupils composing and soloists as the guests received a tour of the facilities.

The pupils were excited to be showing their creative work and practised performances - at times premiering new compositions. The pupils now have the opportunity to work with professional equipment and musicians in a professional environment. Beth Morgan, Head of Performing Arts at the school said: "It has really transformed teaching and learning. The pupils perform with a pride and this in turn has increased the quality of the music they produce." A vibrant fanfare, composed especially for the occasion by Music Service brass specialist, Steve Ellis marked the ribbon cutting ceremony.

The cutting was performed by Glastonbury Festival founder, Michael Eavis and celebrated with enthusiasm by everyone as the samba parade began. The evening was marked by a Gala concert showcasing performances by advanced musicians and ensembles. A 50-piece orchestra, put together specially for the event performed a range of pieces including Promenade from Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, Tequila, Holst's Jupiter and Adiemus by contemporary composer, Karl Jenkins.

Ms Morgan said: "The concert showed what a diverse range of musical styles are studied at Chew Valley. We enjoy jazz improvising, rock bands, African drumming, various instrumental ensembles and choirs, DJ mixing, even didgeridoo playing! The peripatetic and classroom music staff are absolutely fantastic with the pupils. A unique aspect of the performance was a video commissioned especially for the opening, produced by Jo Budd. It showed our journey from one classroom to a whole complex for Music. A real transformation for music education at Chew Valley."

The Bruvvers rock at valley extravaganza

The Bruvvers with Rockola at Chew Valley School

January 29 saw the eleventh annual Chew Valley Rock n Roll Extravaganza and what a rocking night it was! This year's charity dance was held in aid of the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the School Society and, as the tickets had sold like the proverbial hot cakes, the grand sum of £2,080 was raised to be shared between both societies.

By 8.30pm the school hall was jumping with eager dancers bopping to Rockola, our local Rock n Roll band, who gave their services free this night to boost the profits for the charities. We bopped along to all the great classic rock songs from the likes of Chuck Berry, Larry Williams, Buddy Holly, Little Richard, Jerry Lee, Elvis, Ricky Nelson to name but a few!

The star attraction was The Bruvvers, Joe Brown's ex-backing group, who thrilled the audience with their special brand of Rock n Roll, including a rendition of the hit 1960s song they wrote themselves - 'Picture of You'. They were joined for one number by John Barter on vocals and harmonica for his version of 'Everyday I Have the Blues'. The dancing was still very energetic at midnight but it was time to call it a day and a very happy crowd made its way home to recover after an extremely successful evening. A very big thankyou goes to Chew Valley Rugby Club who organised the bar for the evening.

Anyone who missed Rockola or wishes to repeat the experience can catch them at their regular Rock n Roll Club in Pill every second Friday of each month.

Charity trek in Nepal

Bob Luton, Ron Coleman, Steve Morge and Mike Carter, in training for the Himalayan trek

Two local men will be trekking across the Himalayas for charity next month, and they aim to conquer at least four significant Himalayan heights, all of them over 5,000 metres. Mike Carter, from East Harptree, and Bob Luton from Chew Magna, will be among a gang of eight, their ages ranging between 40 and 60, who will try to meet a Himalayan Challenge on behalf of the charity The Street Children of Nepal Trust.

Mike, who founded and runs the charity, says: "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for those involved to live for 24 days on the edge of their physical ability and their mental resolve. They are marking this event by giving something back to the deprived children of Nepal. Despite its fabulous scenery, the Nepalese cling to a precarious existence. The official poverty line is set at a family income level of £150 a year, and 70 per cent of the population does not hit that target."

Mike, formerly an Inspector with Avon and Somerset police, says he became interested in Nepal after doing a research degree at Bath University and sharing an office with a Nepalese student, who is now a trustee of the charity.The peaks that Mike and the team hope to scale are: Kala Pattar (5,545m), Gokyo Peak (5,483m), Gorek Shep (5,288m) and last, though by no means least, the Everest Base Camp at 5,364m. Among others in the team with them will be Ron Coleman (a member of Bristol's legendary rock outfit The Comets, who raised £3,300 for the charity from a gig in February) and Steve Morge, a heating contractor from Yatton.

Kerry Gwyther from Saltford a partner with TLT Solicitors and John Sampson, Assistant Chief Constable West Yorkshire are the other two UK members. All of the trekkers will have to raise their own funds for the trek and the flights. They set off on March 23 and return on April 18. More info from 0117 9321156 or www.streetchildrenofnepal.org

Harptree Affordable housing plan turned down
The plan to build affordable housing at West Harptree has been turned down by Bath and North East Somerset Council as adversely affecting the character of the village and its conservation area. The application by Somer Housing was for nine two story dwellings on 0.53 hectares (1.3 acres) at Parsonage Farm, at the edge of the village as approached from the A368 from Bishop Sutton.

The plan was for a mix of three 4-bed detached houses for private sale, and six affordable houses, of which two would have been 3-bed units and four would have been 2-bed units. West Harptree Parish Council was committed to supporting the plan, after ten years of discussions about providing affordable housing for villagers.

However, objections were received from B&NES¹s Historic Buildings Officer and also from the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership. Although there was consensus in support for the principle of affordable housing, it was felt this was not the right site.

Canticum to visit Chew Magna
The friends of St Andrew's Chew Magna hope that readers of the Gazette will be able to join them in St Andrew's Church on Saturday April 16 at 6pm for a celebrity concert by one of England's leading chamber choir, Canticum. This highly professional mixed choir perform in many countries and have recorded many CDs and the Friends are delighted to have attracted them back to Chew Magna following their applauded appearance three years ago.

They have reached even greater heights since then and we can be certain of a wonderful evening. They will be performing a range of English music from around 1900 including by such composers as Vaughan Williams, Stanford, Holst, Percy Grainger (strictly speaking an Australian!) as well as arrangements of folk and other songs. There will be something for everyone.

There is again the option of a buffet supper after the concert at 8pm in the adjacent 16th Century Old School Room with homemade soups and puddings and a range of local cheeses and salads. Tickets for the concert are priced at £10 each, or £16 for both the concert and supper. Numbers for the buffet will inevitably be limited and have always sold out in previous years so please do apply early for tickets from: Richard Brown.

History societies news
Blagdon Local History Society Colin Maggs spoke to the society about 'The Wrington Vale Light Railway' in January. Colin has written over 60 books and was awarded the MBE for services to railway history. 'The Wrington Vale Light Railway' was published last year. Over 50 people enjoyed this talk. Bristol & North Somerset Railway opened ion 1863, serving the Radstock collieries. The Cheddar Valley Railway from Yatton, through Cheddar to Wells opened in 1869. In 1881 it was thought a good idea to link the two.

Compton Martin History Society Contemporary History. Our Chairman, Jacqui Salter lives in High Hall, a mediaeval building, now part of Compton Martin, but originally a separate hamlet. She related all that was known of its historty to the February meeting and explained all the work that had been done in her lifetime to maintain and modernise the building. There is a change of programme in March. There will now be a re-showing on a large screen af the 1977 film together with other photos (The Society has over 180 that Bob Cotton has organised ) This is in the Schoolroom at 7-45p.m. on March 10th.

Harptree History Society At the Harptree History Society meeting on Wednesday, 30th March, Brian Austin, a distinguished family historian, will be talking about family history research, 'Skeletons in the Cupboard'. The Harptree History Society meets on the last Wednesday of each month at West Harptree Hall at 7.30pm. They are a very friendly group and welcome both members and the occasional visitor. Entry is £1 to members and £2 to non-members, which includes refreshments. If you would like more information about the Society or this talk please contact Lesley Ross or Andrew Sandon.

Hinton Blewett History Group The 2005 programme got off to a great start with the traditional Rustic Supper held at the end of January. About 45 members and guests enjoyed a delicious supper with wine and this was followed by an entertaining talk from Rev.Tim Daplyn. At the February meeting Dr.Alan Dodge gave a talk entitled 'Voices from the Gallery' which was much enjoyed. Local historian, Chris Howell, will be the speaker at the March meeting when he will talk about the First World War in North Somerset, the subject of his latest book. Hinton Blewett hall on Wednesday March 16 at 8 o'clock.