DANCE and music workshops being staged in rural schools in South Lakeland are proving so successful that organisers are hoping to secure extra funding so they can continue.

Musician Keith Redfern and dance teacher Christine Jamieson formed the Four Seasons Music and Dance group late last year.

Mrs Jamieson said she had taught in schools in the area for a number of years and had noticed that there was a lack of music and dance facilities in rural schools between Backbarrow and Shap.

The group secured funding from National Lottery Awards for All and has used it to run half-day workshops in rural schools in the area. Mr Redfern and Mrs Jamieson have held six workshops and only have enough funds to stage a further nine before it runs out in October.

Mr Redfern teaches pupils how to create music on a computer as well as how to play percussion instruments. Mrs Jamieson covers many forms of dance, including jazz and pop. The latest workshop was held in St Peter's School in Heversham.

Mrs Jamieson said many of the schools had been so impressed with the workshops that they were considering applying for funding to have Four Seasons Music and Dance Group return.

"I think the schools will be able to get funding but we are also going to apply for more funding at the end of the year because the workshops have just been so successful," she said.

May 15, 2003 13:00