Moving to a new beat at Betws Primary thanks to WWH

Published by Sarah Manners for Wales & West Housing Association in Housing and also in Communities, Education

CHILDREN at Betws Primary School, in Bridgend, South Wales, will soon be moving to a different beat thanks to their very own drum kit.

The kit, and two boxfuls of children’s books, was donated by Wales & West Housing to help the school rebuild after the blaze which destroyed the junior school just one month ago.

Liz Pearce, Deputy Head of Betws Primary, said: “We’ve had an absolutely terrific response from the local community and offers of support from people after the fire, but this is something really different.

“In September when the new de-mountables are in place, we’re going to have a dedicated music corner in our hall, and this drum kit from Wales & West will take pride of place.”

WWH resident and mum-of-five Mandy Hopkins, whose daughter Bethan is a Year 6 pupil at Betws Primary, said: “We’re so grateful to Wales & West for this donation. The drum kit is brilliant and the children were thrilled to bits with the books too.”

Wales & West Housing manages more than 1,300 high quality affordable homes in Bridgend, and is currently developing 23 new homes at Coed Castell, which are due for completion in March 2013.

Anne Hinchey, Chief Executive of WWH, said: “Many of the children at Betws Primary are our young residents and this school is at the heart of the community.

“We were thrilled to have been invited to present the kit and books to the children at their last assembly of the school year and it was fantastic to see the excitement when the children realized the kit is theirs. Who knows, this might be the start of the next Stereophonics!”

Finally thanks also to Brett at the Drum Depot, Penarth Road, Cardiff, who kindly donated two sets of drum sticks to go with the drums. You can check them out www.drumdepot.co.uk