http://www.gopetition.co.uk/online/34188.html

Keep instrumental tuition free in Shetland

Description:

A group set up to demonstrate public opposition to the SIC’s recent decision to charge for instrumental tuition in Shetland’s schools.

Earlier today (Wed 17th Feb, 2010), the Shetland Islands Council voted 9 to 11 in favour of charging for instrumental tuition in schools -

http://www.shetland-news.co.uk/2010/February/news/SIC%20reaches%20turning%20point%20on%20spending.htm

There’s been absolutely no consultation with teachers, parents or students! The first most people will have heard is on radio Shetland tonight.

They plan on charging £160 per child per year, so if you have three kids, that’ll be £480 a year. Who can afford that?

Inevitably there will be a reduction in student numbers, so that’ll mean staff redundancies.

Also, the lack of instrumental teachers will mean classroom teachers will have to take the extra strain.

All in all, it’s not looking good, and there’s rumours of more cuts to follow.

We appreciate the need to make savings, but these charges have not been thought through.

As councillor Rick Nickerson said at today’s meeting, the decison effectively amounts to the council imposing “a tax on talent”.

Please join this group if you are opposed to the council’s decision. (read less)

A group set up to demonstrate public opposition to the SIC’s recent decision to charge for instrumental tuition in Shetland’s schools.

Earlier today (Wed 17th Feb, 2010), the Shetland Islands Council voted 9 to 11 in favour of charging for instrumental tuition in schools -

http://www.shetland-news.co.uk/2010/February/news/SIC%20reaches%20turning%20point%20on%20spending.htm

There’s been absolutely no consultation with teachers, parents or students! The first most people will have heard is…

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Open: All content is public.

FIDDLE FORCE AND GET REEL JOINT EVENT SATURDAY 6TH MARCH 2010

Hoping you might be interested in coming along to a slightly different Fiddle Force weekend around Get Reel having an event on as part of the Rural Blend run by the Tolbooth in Stirling . Corran Raa are playing for us – featuring Jenny, Kath, Robbie and Janet in Balfron on Saturday 6th March – so yes we are asking you to come along to be groupies in the evening and hoping you can stretch to buying a ticket for the concert and family ceilidh!

The programme would be ;

Saturday 6th March

1pm – 5pm Fiddle Force, Get Reel and friends sessions in Killearn Village Hall - Soup, bread and cheese lunch provided by Get Reel ( there is a booking for the morning so we can’t get in any earlier!)

Travel to Balfron – via a pub for something to eat if you prefer or better still…

5.30 onwards Come to Balfron McLintock Hall ( 4 miles east of Killearn) for a Buffet supper in lesser hall - (for which we would all need to contribute – list to be sent out once get names of who can come)

7.30pm - McLintock Hall Balfron - Corran Raa in concert with Get Reelers as support act. Family Ceilidh from 9.15-10.30/11pm. Bar, Raffle. Tickets £8/£5.

Accommodation – Get Reel would like to offer accommodation in family homes to those of you who need it so we need names as soon as possible.

Sunday 7th March

11am Dumgoyne Walk - either along pipetrack from Spar in village (add half and hour) or climb Dumgoyne from Distillery. ( will look into a tour after climb!)
Here is a wee blurb about it…
Dumgoyne Hill (427) on the Campsie Hills lies just behind the Glengoyne Distillery on the A81 just before Killearn if travelling from Glasgow. There is roadside parking opposite the distillery and walking about 50 yards from there on the distillery side of the road, you pick up a path near two cottages. Just follow the path through some forestry and you will reach a gate next to a field. Go through the gate (close it) and Dumgoyne comes into view about a quarter of a mile away. Climbing over a stile at the end of the field a path appears to take you onwards and upwards to the summit. The base of the hill can be very boggy, so waterproof shodding is essential. The climb and return should take about 2 hours, with the summit offering splendid views to the mountains in the north and Strathclyde to the south.

Hope to hear from you.

Cheers
Sara

Sara J Melville 

11 Rowan Crescent

Killearn

G63 9RZ

01360 550770

07717653925

As you may know from previous years, we are limited to numbers so if you are interested in attending please return the booking form as soon as you can.

Click on the links below to find out more details, or you can email me back or call me on 07745 493135.

We’re looking forward to a good day and a great evening too. Why not come and join us?

http://www.fiddlemusic.co.uk/mellor-brook-fiddle-day.htm

Best wishes

Julian

Saturday 13th March 2010

A partnership event with ‘Folkus’ – the Northwest’s Folk Arts Network