Whiddon Parishes Magazine - October/November 2013

YOUNG PEOPLE‘A West End Spectacular’The dictionary definition of performance is: ‘a musical,dramatic, or other entertainment presented before anaudience and the execution or accomplishment of work,acts, feats, etc’. Starling Arts’ fourth Summer Schoolproduction, A West End Spectacular, lived up to thatdefinition from start to finish when 38 young peoplefrom around Chagford, aged from nine years old,performed 17 different songs from 10 different shows.With just four days of rehearsals, the youngsters notonly had to learn the songs but the, sometimescomplicated, choreography too. The choice of a revuestyleperformance rather than a single ‘show’, was sothat everyone had the chance to take solo roles if theychose to and this opportunity was eagerly embraced bymany of the cast. This year saw the début of 14 new‘Starlings’ all of whom enjoyed the experience and havenow become ‘fully fledged’!In their programme notes, Anna and Emily stated: ‘Ourlong term goal for Starling Arts is to be a pioneer formusical theatre as a tool for communities, quashing theidea that musicals are merely entertainment forentertainment’s sake.’ Well, there was nothing ‘merely’about A West End Spectacular, this outstandingperformance was entertainment at its very best. Foranyone wishing to keep up to date with information andnews about Starling Arts, do visit the website:www.starlingarts.com .1 st Drewsteignton & Chagford CubsThe Cubs have started their new term at a new venue,Endecott House, Chagford. They meet on Thursdayevenings from 6-7.30pm. New members are verywelcome, boys and girls aged 8 years and over. Pleasering Akela for more information on 01363 82711.On the Edge cook bookWe have altered our dates for the cook book launch aswe believe everybody has been enjoying the lovelyweather and not sending us recipes. We hope you nowhave wonderful ideas and are asking you to send recipesnow so that we can launch the cookbook next May. Aphotograph and your comments on why you enjoyed thedish can also go into the book. We would love recipesfrom both children and adults. We are grateful to thosewho have already contributed and look forward totasting their dishes, and those still to come, at the launchin the newly refurbished garden at Endecott House.Please email your recipe by the end of the year to EllaWiseman liz.drew@homecall.co.uk, Rosemary BleakmanRosemary.bleakman@lineone.net or Jennifer Mullinspmjmrmdm@aol.com . Or write it out and hand it in toDrewsteignton Post Office or The Mess in Chagford. Allproceeds from the cook book will go to On the EdgeYouth Project. Thank you.Rosemary BleakmanThe Priority Schools Building ProgrammeAt the end of last year CatherineRees Stephan and I announced excitingbut challenging, proposals forour buildings at Chagford School.We are currently part of the nationalPriority Schools Building Programme(PSBP). This is being centrally-procuredby the EducationFunding Agency (EFA) on behalf ofthe Department for Education. Weare on the programme because ofthe scale of the work required tobring the school up to a standardthat best supports teaching andlearning as well as being economicallysustainable. The repair workjust completed to the roof and windows(doesn’t it look wonderful!)was literally to stop the rain andwind from coming in and only dealtwith some of the immediate issuesaffecting the fabric of the building.We will not engage properly withthe programme until September2014. This is very frustrating as wehave had many ‘what, how and why’questions that, quite simply, havenowhere to go until the processstarts. The first and most importantphase is 12 weeks of consultation,assessment and planning duringwhich any options regarding theviability of refurbishment versus rebuild,or a combination of the two,along with design options for anyproposed new build will be assessed.Our most recent updatefrom the EFA is that the work willbe grant funded and not financed byPrivate Investment (PFI) as previouslyadvised. This will hopefullylead to a more informed discussionduring the consultation phase.Coming at a time when proposalsfor the Bretteville site are underway,we will be establishing a WorkingParty led by Graham Browne toensure that we are best equipped toengage with the EFA. Our priority isstill to ensure we sustainably deliverthe very best teaching and learningand that any issues resulting fromchange are mitigated.Toby Rubbra,Chair of Governorstobyrubbra@aol.com19