And who did I come across at Booths today?

The UVHS Swingband on Saturday

And here are some more

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An absolutely superb concert at the Coro on Friday Night

The Ulverston Victoria High School, Wind Band was playing with what I would call a full orchestra in a concert where The Royal Marines had the 'privilege' of playing with them later on.

Richard Butler their teacher, leader and conductor had done a superb job of inspiring and guiding them.

They opened with a piece that showed off their talents of being precisely in time and in tune - not a thing you expect of youngsters, some of whom I understand were only 11 years old.

"The Showstopper" by Osterling showed their talents off and certainly made me sit up and take notice.

Their playing was crisp and precise. Closing one's eyes would have made it difficult to tell one was not listening to the Halle.

Opening them revealed some very young children hunched forward whose body language suggested a lack of confidence.

Had they been able to hear objectively what I could, then I'm sure their stance would have changed dramatically and they would have appeared confident and assured. The latter was true of some of the soloists who were top notch.

As time went on we suspected they enjoyed playing with their respected adults and I hope the thought occurred to them - "I'm as good as they are". It's true - I thought they were.

The school is looking for sponsors for their next few years activities . I hope these will come in quantity as Richard Butler once again has planned a series of many activities which will take them to Europe - to Strasbourg and The Black Forest in Germany in July 16 to 21, 2010 . This kind of activity brings confidence and is a deserved complement to the studies of students who will be working hard at school in other areas other than music.

I shall be supporting their endeavors - contact Richard Butler , their outstanding teacher at

rbu at ulverstonvictoria.cumbria.sch.uk if you want to do likewise.

If in doubt , come and listen to the UVHS Swing Band at the Dickensian Festival at the Market Cross at 5 pm this next Saturday, 27th November.

Hopefully I'll be getting a version of this with my camera up onto Youtube shortly afterwards - as I did in the Spring this year!

Do we expect too much?

Is it fair that we expect a team of some 20 football players and their manager to carry the responsibility of England's feelings of self esteem?

Are there other things that we could focus our expectations on?

Like supporting the activities of our local young people.

Would Carnival Day be a better focus for our support?

How about cheering the Karate Academy who are leading the Carnival Parade at the week end at short notice?




How about the successes of the Orienteering activities of Ulverston Victoria High School in their recent visit to New Zealand (Where they had an extended stay because of the Volcanic dust scare)?

Any other suggestions?

Congratulations to the students UVHS

And of course to their trainers and teachers.

Absolutely brilliant.

.

Schools - well maintained buildings ARE important

Looks grand.

But what does it look like inside?

In a recent article regarding a visit of Councillors to Victoria High we had some significant comments reported:

First
"Cllr Airey told Monday’s meeting that the success of UVHS being taken out of special measures in March must be followed-up by tending to the school learning environment.

He said: “I was shocked and amazed by the state of some of the buildings."

Second

Town councillor Janette Jenkinson would welcome any county council support, but was less convinced about the importance of buildings.

“I would like to state that it is not the buildings that create a good education,” she said. “It’s the teachers and staff.

“But yes, it would make a difference.”

Having taught in Victoria High recently I cannot agree with Janette Jenkinson.

With paint peeling off the walls and a drab environment from years of neglect it is difficult to be positive.

None of us would put up with this in our own homes. The message coming across to all that enter this school in its present state is that no one cares.

Janette reflects a sad view amongst the Conservatives that this is an area where spending money is not important.

It is.

It reflects the view of County Cllr Pauline Halfpenny that Dale Street should be closed. She put the boot in at a vital point in the decision over the school and failed to support Wendy Kolbe at a crucial meeting last year.

James Airey is a man that always, in my hearing , talks sense. I will be voting for him in the coming election for County Councillor. (I am definitely NOT a Conservative but of the people available for election, he is the best choice - I always vote for the person and not their party)

There was no comment reported from County Councillor Kolbe on this issue. How hard has she fought to get funds for the school?

I aim to first consult the school and then have a early meeting with Moira Swan, who I already know, to get some support for UHVS.

Money for words

A total of £50 will be available every month to young people, preferably still in school and living in and around Ulverston.

To get this or part of it you will need to write something about life here as you see it. The amount will depend on the content.

Everything will be totally anonymous.

You write your comment here as anon - if I publish it then I leave you the money in a public place for you to pick up eg inside a coke can behind the Coro.

To start with it will be published here but later it could be in another blog say Ulverstonblog.blogspot.com

We'll work out a system between us.

What you write must not slag someone else off but criticising what they do or don't do is OK.

As we go along we'll get a feel for what is publishable !

The first fiver could be for a few sentences. The English or the spelling are not important as long as others can understand you!

A 'story' with a photo or two will get you the 50 quid if it's interesting to others - particularly young people.

No idea how this will work but there's bound to be a way - - - somehow!