A MUSIC education charity based in Okehampton has been given £19,000 worth of funding from two benefactors.

Wren Music, the charity that aims to bring the joy of making music to people living in Devon, has received £9,500 as a result of gaining a Big Lottery Fund Celebrate Award.

This money was then matched by the Okehampton United Charities bringing the grand total to £19,000.

Since receiving funding Wren Music has planned two major events in Okehampton.

The first event will be a sing-song and cream tea event held in Okehampton’s Charter Hall on Friday, February 3, and the second will be athe return of the Okehampton Lantern Procession on Friday, February 17.

Prior to the events, which will be free and open to all, representatives from Wren Music will be visiting a number of local community groups in order to teach them traditional Devon folk songs which will be sang at the gathering in Charter Hall.

Wren Music intends to use some of the funding to source professional artists and lantern experts to create large moveable lanterns for the procession. The silhouette images created on these lanterns will match the stories told in the Devon folk songs.

Organisers will also hold special lantern craft sessions before the event for members of the public who wish to join in the procession.

Marilyn Tucker, artistic director and chief executive of Wren Music, said: ‘We wish to invite the people of Okehampton to join Wren Music in a celebration of local culture.

‘We will be teaching lots of community groups and people local traditional Devon folk songs in preparation for our big sing-song and cream tea event, and will be holding special latern-making workshops before the procession.

‘Wren Music has been fortunate enough to gain a Big Lottery Fund Celebrate Award, which has been match funded by the Okehampton United Charity. This funding has allowed us to host these exciting events and activities which will be free for all.

‘We are so delighted to be holding an event like this in Okehampton!’

Wren Music will be visiting groups to teach the songs throughout January. There will also be some open sessionsfor those who don’t already belong to a group.

Lantern making workshop for all ages will be during half term week.

For more information contact Marilyn Tucker on 01837 53754 or [email protected]