TWO donations totalling £600 have enabled pupils at Tavistock Primary School to have their own African drums on which to practise. The pupils received tuition from professional musicians last year as part of a music scheme organised by Devon Music Service in an attempt to encourage children to learn to play a musical instrument. Several schools in the area were included in the scheme and Tavistock pupils were chosen to learn to play the African djembe drums, which were provided by the visiting musicians. School music co-ordinator Mrs Irene Lea asked the Home Schools Association and the Lion?s Club of Tavistock for funding and was delighted to receive a grant of £300 from each. She said the children had enjoyed learning the drums so much it seemed a great shame not to continue once the scheme had finished. The school now has 14 drums, which are in use on a regular basis. Lions Club president Janet Nowell, press officer Steve Grummitt and Keith Penney are pictured joining some Year 5 pupils playing the drums. Janet said she was impressed by the enthusiasm shown by the children and hoped they would be able to play them in this year?s carnival on Saturday, July 16.
