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Wingfield Music Club.
"With the voluntary help of parents of the children attending
the school and friends interested in music, under the aegis of Mr.
Herbert Lyon a music club was set in being last year with the
two-fold purpose of encouraging music both as an art and as a
therapy. Mr. Herbert Lyon, the club leader, ably assisted by
friends, has held a regular two-hour session every Monday evening
at the school. Free tuition and loan of instruments is available to
interested physically handicapped persons—violin, cello, piano,
recorder, double bass, harmonica, flute and trumpet are taught in
small groups and then combined together for orchestral purpose.
"Several public performances have been given, and in
December a film was made by the B.B.C. outside television unit
for showing on Children's Television Hour.
"Originally founded for the children at the school and for
former pupils, the Club has now been opened to all in the area
who are physically handicapped and interested in music. A parent
and sympathisers association has been set up to strengthen the work
of the Club, which has now grown beyond its original purpose.
A one-handed girl cellist has had an audition for the National Youth
Orchestra, and a violinist (severe asthma) has made good physical
progress as her musical capacity has improved, enabling her to pass
successfully from Grade I to Grade III examinations of the Royal
Associated Board.
"Miss Vera Kantrovitch of the Trinity College of Music has
taken a keen interest in the Club from its formation and has been
elected President of the Club, which has now received generous
help from many well wishers in the area. It is felt that the results
so far obtained justify an exploitation of the active participation in
instrumental music as an adjunct to therapy in both the physical and
emotional aspects of disability.
"I would record my deep appreciation of the energy and
enthusiasm of the founder of the Club, Mr. Herbert Lyon, and to
the friends who have assisted him in carrying out this pioneer
venture."
17. FULL-TIME COURSES OF HIGHER EDUCATION FOR
BLIND, DEAF, DEFECTIVE AND EPILEPTIC STUDENTS
The authority for the provision of such courses is the Essex
County Council.
18. NURSERY SCHOOL
Miss F. D. Harris, the Headmistress, reports as follows:—
"The health record during the year was very good until
October, when there was an outbreak of whooping cough. Many