Taste of the Caribbean hits the right note

A training day with a difference gave youngsters from county after-school clubs and their leaders the chance to forget the winter blues and swap them for a taste of life in the Caribbean.

The foot-tapping Caribbean Steel Pan Extravaganza, held at Hunderton School today, Tuesday, February 15, was laid on for youngsters, aged from three to 11, and leaders who attend a number of after-school clubs in Herefordshire.

The seeds for the event were sown last year when a number of after school clubs participated in a Youth Music funded initiative devised by 4children (formerly known as Kids Club Network), and delivered by Herefordshire’s Early Years and Childcare Development Partnership, together with Music Pool, called “Come and Play”.

The seven clubs hosted a variety of musicians to work with both youngsters and play leaders to put on a performance for parents.

Come and Play was such a success, that the Herefordshire  Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership matched and received further funding in order to put on the training day.

 “They had such a great time we decided to go ahead and arrange the Caribbean Steel Pan Extravaganza,” said Elizabeth Davies, Herefordshire Council’s Early Years and Childcare services development worker.

After-school Clubs involved in the event included: Trinity Tree Tops, St. Pauls, Llangrove, Kids Zone Wigmore, Burghill, Luston and Bridge Street Kids at Leominster.

“The event was a training day and was led by the national children’s organization 4Children, Rob Strawson & Peta Yapp of The Music Pool, and Elizabeth Davies, of the EYDCP,” added Elizabeth.

“Throughout the day parents and youngsters – some children as young as three – took part in steel pan workshops, Afro-Brazilian percussion, voice, traditional instruments, musical felt-making and bead work activities.

“All aspects of the training day were brought together at lunch time for a final celebration of rhythm, music-making and song.”

“The musicians and artists - Peta Yapp & Bym Welthy of Resonate, Alison Houlbrook, Kirsten Hellier, Ciara Lewis, Christine Brook and Kate Morgan-Clare – were full of exciting ideas and made sure the day was one to remember,” said Elizabeth.