Smiles as roles are recounted
Todmorden U3A's July members meeting had the usual main programme order reversed and started with the Short Talk, given by Jean Butterworth of Todmorden in Bloom.
Most present would have noticed some of the work TiB do around town in the form of the 40 hanging baskets and the 30 barrier baskets. But much more is done besides.
Jean started her talk with some history: founded 10 years ago by herself and nine others, each of whom contributed 10, with the aim to clean and brighten the town.
The first task undertaken resulted in the collection of 200 bags of rubbish.
As well as tackling litter and dog fouling, TiB set about adopting local eyesores, one of the first being the railway station. TiB no longer works alone, partnerships have been formed with organisations such as Todmorden Pride and the sadly now defunct Todmorden Together, the Probation Service, Payback Service; and local schools, with the formation of gardening clubs.
Funding comes mainly from Todmorden Town Council, local businesses and individual contributions.
New volunteers are always welcome and Jean Butterworth can be contacted on 01706 81 7492.
The main speaker was Dr Paul Whittaker, OBE, Artistic Director of Music and the Deaf, the name of the organisation being the title of the talk he was to give.
Anyone lacking a sense of humour might have cast their eyes around the audience seeking looks of bemusement or irritation as the talk got under way and went on for about half-an-hour with not a word spoken on the seemingly ostensible topic.
Such a person would have sought in vain as the audience were too busy laughing at what was nothing more-or-less than a first-rate stand-up comedy routine to really be bothered if the subject matter was being ignored. That is, if they even noticed.
Paul told his audience how he was born profoundly deaf but learned to play the piano and organ, studied at Wadham College, Oxford and completed a Ph.D at the Royal Northern College of Music.
All this with some modesty, as he rather skated over these achievements, seamlessly continuing with the stand-up routine as he moved on to talk about the organisation he founded and developed.
Paul signed as he spoke and had his own interpreter in the person of Andy Higgins, who also made several cameo appearances in the stand-up routine.
Paul also mimed along to two recorded songs, being lip-sync perfect each time.
Paul founded Music and the Deaf in 1988, having to acquire admin, finance and business skills along the way, as passion alone will not keep such an organisation going.
Starting with workshops that provide opportunities for deaf people of all ages to access music through games, signed song, dance and drama, there are now nine elements of the work that the organisation does, including the Deaf Youth Orchestra, instrumental tuition and early years music.
Paul is a truly inspirational speaker as well as a highly amusing one and can be seen on YouTube. Music and the Deaf web address is www.matd.org.uk A collection was held on behalf of the organisation.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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