Guest 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
At the Jack-in-a-Box Pre-School, based at the Samphire Children's Centre in Aycliffe, they are always looking for ways to engage the minds and creative instincts of the children in their care. In particular they like to find activities the children can do in groups to encourage them to work and play together with others. One activity that is always popular with the children, while being both creative and encouraging co-ordinated working with others is, music.
With the better weather, we hope, coming up they would like to be able to develop music facilities outdoors that all the children can enjoy. As it would be very expensive to buy this sort of equipment, they think it would be better, and far more satisfying for the children, to build open-air musical instruments themselves.
In order to do this they are looking for donations of materials and some expertise. First and foremost they will need timber, 2x2 or bigger, to build frames and stands. For the more musical side they will need lengths of plastic piping of all sorts of diameters, cymbals, bells and anything else that can make a 'tuneful' sound. If anyone wanted to donate drumsticks, they would be most grateful. At the more mundane end, they will also need wood screws, nails and assorted fixings (bolts, wing nuts etc.). Some strong planking for benches and steps would also be very useful.
Once they have sufficient materials, they will be happy to have volunteers to help with the assembly and would love to have all of the kind donors along for an opening ceremony to help the children celebrate its completion.
If you would like to help with materials or expertise please do get in touch either with me, through this forum or call Michelle Allen at Jack in a Box on 01304 213111. Thank You.
Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour
Guest 703- Registered: 30 Jul 2010
- Posts: 2,096
Chris, great idea and happy to help. I've got a book "Making Wooden Folk Instruments" that they are welcome to borrow for ideas.
Guest 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
That would be very useful Ray, thanks. I will be in touch tomorrow. We do have a catalogue of some you can buy (for huge prices) that we are using as blueprints and, if I can work out how to scan it in, I will post that later.
Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour
What a stonkingly good plan! Creativity is so crucial to a childs development and fun! Often one of the first things to be dropped if there are curriculum pressures but such an essential part of childhood and schooldays. Good luck with this!
Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
Guest 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
Thanks Tom. A lot of those shown fit in well with the ideas we have and the pictures do provide a perfect explanation as to why we are looking for plastic pipes.
Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour
Guest 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
A short clip of what we are hoping to achieve.
[URL][/URL]
Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour
Guest 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
Some extra news on this (for some reason mentioned in the Dover Express as a "cake sale"). In June my brave wife Stephanie will be hiking up to the summit of Mount Snowdon in order to help raise funds for our projects at the pre-school. If anyone would like to sponsor her, or I am sure she would love more company on the hike, please do get in touch on 01304 204211.
Ray, is there any chance you could drop the book into the Town Council offices for me, we would return it ASAP? Thanks.
Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour
Guest 703- Registered: 30 Jul 2010
- Posts: 2,096
Chris, will do early next week.
Guest 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
Thanks for that.
Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
ray and his cowpats to the rescue again.
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
Chris if it helps DoverLive would come up to Aycliffe School and put on a little show with singers and Dancers,if you drop me a line we could discuss it.Then you could raise a few £££'s.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Sounds a great idea and it'll be a great encouragement too. Well done John.
Roger
Guest 703- Registered: 30 Jul 2010
- Posts: 2,096
Chris, dropped it off today, couldn't let you know by email as the one on your profile bounces back!
Guest 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
I will check that Ray, got the book thanks. I was reading it last night and there looks to be a few things we can adapt from (and a couple I would not mind trying anyway). Good book.
Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour
Guest 677- Registered: 8 Jul 2008
- Posts: 150
I just wanted to bring this thread back up to the top for a little while to let you all know that I have had my leave confirmed for June so I will definitely be completing a sponsored wallk up Mount Snowdon to raise money for this very worthy cause. Please let me know if you would like to sponsor me, calling us at 01304 204211.
I will post pictures of my trek on this thread after the event for all to laugh at.
It's not the man in my life, its the life in my man!!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i get out of breath emptying the ashtray steph, will look forward to the video of you conquering that welsh mountain.
i am losing count of endurance events from forum members, all great stuff.
Guest 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
Do you think I could get sponsored for how long I endure the children without losing my temper while Stephanie is busy hiking up the mountain?
Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
No Chris but the rest of us might have a sweepstake on it.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
