You must be delighted to have been chosen to carry the Olympic Torch through Eastbourne Kate – where were you when you were told you had been selected and tell us about your reaction?I was at home when I found out that I was definitely carrying the torch and I was amazed and really honoured.
Tell us about your passion for music and involvement with local schools?
I have always loved music and have strong memories of the teachers who inspired me at both primary and secondary school. I started to get involved at Seaford Primary when my first son started. I used to play the piano for the Christmas productions and then started to help with the recorder club. Over the years I got more and more involved. I became a teaching assistant in the afternoons and eventually helped the teachers out with their music lessons. I became an HLTA (Higher Level Teaching Assistant) in March 2005 and have been leading the music in school since about then. When the children were young I used to teach guitar at home to children on a one-to-one basis and also an adult group in the evening .
Apparently one of the choirs that you teach has sang at the o2 arena in London?
I first took our after-school choir to sing at the o2 arena in London two years ago and it was a fantastic experience for them (and me!) They sing with around 8000 children who have learned the same songs, rehearsing in the afternoon and then perform to a huge audience in the evening. I'm expecting to take about 100 children to the next one.
I hear you are organising a fantastic event for children called ‘Proms in the Playground’, what’s this about?
'Proms in the playground' was an exhilarating and exhausting four-evening event. We started with dance night, followed with instrumental night, then key stage one and year three night, ending with the 'Last Night of the Proms'. It was a huge success and the children were amazing. There were performances from both choirs (Chamber and after-school choir), the orchestra, stylophone club, various bands, soloists (dance, instrumental and voice) and a fantastic time was had by all 152 children who took part. On the last night, the audience were standing, waving their flags and singing along to 'Land of Hope & Glory' accompanied by the orchestra. We can't wait to do it all again next year!
And tell us more about your involvement in the local community (care homes)?
I take groups of children to sing in the community and we visit several care/nursing homes/sheltered housing/groups. There is only one venue, however, that I can take all the children to! We go in small groups, generally at Christmas but sometimes at other times during the year. It's good for the children to 'give' to others and they are encouraged to talk with residents after the concerts.
A lot of the funds you raise go to your link school in Nairobi, when was this link initially set up and do you have any plans to visit (or have you)?
As a school, we have a link with the 'Church Army Academy' in Nairobi (set up several years ago) and support them by sending funds each year that we have raised from our summer concerts (Proms). I don't have any current plans to visit but you never know as my brother and his wife have moved to Kenya for five years so it is now a possibility! We usually send around £300, which goes a long way. Some of the teachers have been known to teach for no pay when times are really tough. We are pleased to be sending off £400 this year after our 'Proms' marathon!
Do you live in Eastbourne, if so how long how you lived in the town? (If not, where? Do you live nearby?)
I live in Seaford and have been here since 1988. I enjoy shopping in Eastbourne on a regular basis, but try to stay out of the music shops as I always spend too much in them!!!
How have you been preparing for the big day?
In preparation for the day I have been trying to get a bit fitter! I go to Zumba and exercise in the mornings before school on my wii fit! The children are helping me at lunch times by escorting me jogging around the school field. They are taking it in turns to hold my inflatable torch!
Will the children you teach be coming along to the Torch Relay in Eastbourne to cheer you on?
I believe that around 160 of the children are coming over to cheer me on! They are allowed to leave school at lunch time.
Finally, 2012 is a momentous year for Britain, what lasting legacy would you like to see from these fantastic celebrations?
I'm hoping that a lasting legacy of the games might be more unity between the people of the UK along with support and understanding of each other. Also I 'm sure it will give the children some wonderful memories to tell their grandchildren!
Good luck and thank you for your time Kate - look forward to seeing you (and all your supporters there on the day!)
Lily
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