THE musical talent flourishing in New Bury Community Centre has struck a chord with one of the foremost national musical examination bodies.

That's because all 20 musicians, aged between 40 and 80 years, who were entered for their London College of music Accreditation examinations passed with either honours or merits.

And one of the students went a step further by achieving 100 per cent marks.

The group, who mainly play keyboard, study as part of the Bolton Community Education Service programme and arrived for the year's course with no formal training.

Some had never even played the instrument properly prior to arriving at New Bury.

Teacher Curt Vosper teaches students at not only New Bury, but Clarence Street, Westhoughton and Turton community centres. Next year's course begins on Monday September 20, and runs until June. Last year's participants are already impatient to start up again. Curt said: "None of the students had ever entered themselves for a formal qualification so we thought it would be good to structure the course.

"Students entered levels one and two which encompass practical and theoretical sides to the exams.

"Not everyone chose to enter, but all those who did passed.

"These are people who have always been interested in music and have dabbled at home on their own.

"This course has combined their leisure pursuit with accreditation.

"It was set up as a community education course and in addition to any publicity, many of the people who attend have heard about us from word of mouth.

"The classes are very friendly and informal. I encourage people to develop their own interests and they have been a credit to themselves. "It has got so that I think of the students more as my friends. They have great capabilities. Ralph Adams for example, chose not to enter the examination, but is capable of writing his own tunes.

"Everyone here learns how to play but also how to put the music down on paper."

Phyllis Stretton, who achieved 100 per cent marks, had played piano as a child but had never concentrated too much on theory.

She said: "I was delighted with my marks, but never thought for a moment that I had done so well.

"It is not only the music, but the company which I enjoy. So much so that we tend to continue to meet during the summer months.

"I admire the people who have come here to take up music from scratch. When they arrived they could not play at all, but now are able to play tunes and change chords." In addition to Phyllis, other successful students were: Terry Gallimore, Ronald Smallwood, Renee Lilley, Peter Rigby, Joanne Whitehead, Gillian Conway, George Dale, Neville Darwen, Gary Ellison, Winifred Bach, Morag Baird, Alf Gorse, Brian Brooks, Sheila Taylor, Jane Kenyon, Mary Crawshaw, Bob Walker, Pat Hurst and Gordon Hennings.

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