Fairport Convention drop in for school performance

It's not every day a group of folk rock legends drop by a school for an impromptu performance.

But that was exactly what happened to a group of schoolchildren yesterday when members of Fairport Convention visited Oswestry to show off their creative talents – after a teacher e-mailed the band.

Members of the group agreed to drop in to the Woodside Primary School on the way to their concert at Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury.

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Pupils, parents and staff were thrilled by the concert from the group, which made folk rock music an established genre 40 years ago.

The visit came about after Adam Pugh, head of years three and four at the school, e-mailed band members after spotting that they were appearing in Shrewsbury.

Mr Pugh contacted band member Dave Pegg because the children are currently studying creativity.

The teacher thought it would be a good idea to try to get the band along so they could show the children how they create their music.

Mr Pegg agreed to the unusual request and brought along other band members Rik Sanders, Simon Nichol and Chris Leslie to the school before last night's concert.

And if the visit was a first for the school, it was also a first for the band, who admitted they had never played for schoolchildren before.

Bass player Mr Pegg said: "When the school asked we thought 'why not' and it was a really good afternoon."

With the band's drummer stuck on a train, Mr Sanders recruited Woodside's mascot, a large teddy called Woody, to help with the percussion.

And the band made it a very special birthday for nine-year-old Zac Howard by dedicating one of the songs to him.

Headteacher Rob McDevitt admitted that Fairport Convention had always been one of his favourite bands.

"To meet them has been amazing and to see them work so well with the children a real pleasure," he said.

The children had been learning about rock/folk before the concert.

Pupil Maisie Morris, 11, said: "It's really lively music. We all enjoyed it."