PARTICIPATING in the schools' Valentine Day Musical Celebration in King George's Hall, Blackburn, was a joy for the 400 pupils and 500 family, teachers and others who were there.

We had pupils from a dozen local primary, secondary and special schools singing and playing their hearts out to their families' and teachers' hearts' content.

Special mention should be made of all the teachers and other staff who spent many weeks making the evening the uplifting success that it was. Rob Nash and Tina Wilkinson deserve a specific mention for the pivotal role they played.

With the support of more than £300,000 from the Government's Standards Fund, we are working to establish a diverse programme of music education for our children.

Central to this will be the establishment and development of six centres of musical excellence. Each will focus upon a specific aspect of music. We are sure that this next stage in our plans and ambitions will be as successful as our recent evening of music.

COUN BILL TAYLOR, chairman of Education and Training, Blackburn with Darwen Council.

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