Christmas Concert in Blean at the John Graham Centre for Adults with Learning Difficulties
On the damp and gusty evening of 14th December relations and friends of the Centre’s students were transported to Bethlehem. Fifteen of the music group sang from a platform in the stable flanked by the ponies, donkeys, goats and sheep who are such a part of the Centre’s education programme.
The Rev. Stephen Laird read poems and prayers between the carols and narrated the Christmas story. The concert ended with ‘Jingle Bells’, ‘Rudolph’ and ‘White Christmas’ acompanied by the bells, maraccas and tambourines bought with a grant from Canterbury Rotary Club. Chris Cook, the Director, and Mo Palios, the music tutor, both said that the instruments had made a great difference not only to musical but to social skills among the students.
Father Christmas arrived in an illuminated horse-drawn carriage to distribute presents before the evening closed with mince pies and hot drinks. Rotarians Marjorie Lyle and David Barton attended the concert and were delighted to see their donated musical instruments put to good use.
photos by Roger Bickerton
click any image to enlarge
 |
 |
| Music Tutor Mo Palios conducts the performers | Dr David Barton looks on as the performers make music |
