400 Local children perform at the Hexagon

The Rotary Clubs of Ascot and Wokingham combined to stage a concert featuring the talents of 400 children aged 8-11 from 13 schools in the Ascot and Maidenhead area, held in the Hexagon theatre, Reading, last Sunday. In front of a packed house of 1,200 spectators, the children sang, danced, played musical instruments and entertained with poems and sketches on the theme of “You and Me” – a light-hearted perspective on parents from the children’s point of view. Guest of Honour was The Worshipful the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Councillor Dorothy Kemp.

Clive Waterman, conductor and chief coordinator of the concert said “This is the 3^rd concert we have organised for schools in the Royal Borough, and it is made possible by the enthusiastic support of the Rotary Clubs in cooperation with the Education Department of the Royal Borough”.

David Marshall, President of the Rotary Club of Ascot, welcomed the audience and said “These concerts are just one aspect of the Rotary commitment to young people. As the children move into secondary education, they may encounter our national competitions, such as “Youth Speaks” and “Young Chef”. Moreover, as a direct result of the Rotary organisation’s multimillion pound Polio Eradication Programme, around 5million children and young people around the world are able to walk and run, who would otherwise have been disabled by polio.”

L to R David Auger (President RC Wokingham), Clive Waterman (Conductor) Councillor Dorothy Kemp (Mayor of RBWM) and David Marshall (President, RC Ascot)

The performance was enthusiastically applauded by the audience, who were spellbound by the confidence and quality of the participation by the youngsters. Afterwards, Mayor Dorothy Kemp said “Tonight’s performance has given these children a unique opportunity to boost their self-confidence and develop their musical skills in a concert environment. I am sure the experience will be a great asset to them in the future.”

Schools Taking Part

· Cheapside C.E. Primary School, Sunninghill

· Cookham Rise Primary School, Cookham

· Courthouse Junior School, Maidenhead

· Furze Platt Junior School, Maidenhead

· Holyport C.E. Primary School

· Holy Trinity C.E. Primary School, Sunningdale

· Oldfield Primary School, Maidenhead

· St. Luke’s C.E. Primary School, Maidenhead

· St. Michael’s C.E. Primary School, Sunninghill

· Waltham St. Lawrence Primary

· White Waltham C.E. Primary School

· Wessex Primary School, Maidenhead

· Woodlands Park Primary, White Waltham