St Ives rotary club looking to inspire the next generation of musicians

The idea, which is the brainchild of St Ives Rotary Club member Adrian Acton, involves collecting the instruments, cleaning and servicing them and giving them to children in local primary schools.

The scheme is designed to help those children who would like to take up music but cannot afford to buy an instrument.

Several primary schools have already signed up to take part and Mr Acton is even talking about setting up a music group or holding a concert should the scheme prove a success.

Mr Acton, 62, of Ware Lane, Wyton, said: “You talk to people and they seem to have guitars or ukuleles or mouth organs that they’re doing nothing with.

“It seemed to me we could pick them up and recycle them and help start youngsters off with music.

“We have close ties with Somersham Youth Orchestra and it would be great if we could set up a concert or something but obviously it will take the children time to learn.”

Mr Acton is a keen musician himself and has played the guitar since he was young.

He still plays alongside other members of the club and believes that music can be of great importance to personal development.

“There are one or two of us in the club who are musically inclined and we occasionally play for the old age pensioners in what we call the walk-round- the-park,” he said.

“I think music gives people a lot of pleasure for all ages, broadens your outlook and keeps your brain active.”

He added: “If people have any instruments that are stuck in the back of wardrobes gathering dust they could make a great difference to a child.”

Instruments can be donated at two drop-off points – The Hunts Post, 30 High Street, Huntingdon or Wellington Wise Estate Agents, Market Road, St Ives – or alternatively Rotarians will also collect instruments.

INFORMATION: To arrange for instruments to be collected, call either Adrian Acton on 01480 464268 or Moira Penney on 01480 300194.