Children at Watton Junior School have enjoyed a music week, while at the same time remembering local girl Suzanne Turner, who lost a battle against cancer last autumn.

Children at Watton Junior School have enjoyed a music week, while at the same time remembering local girl Suzanne Turner, who lost a battle against cancer last autumn.

The musical opportunities experienced this week arose from an idea suggested by Suzanne's family.

They wanted to encourage children in the school to grow to love music as Suzanne had all her life. Suzanne's mother, Mrs Meek, said that “even as a toddler, Suzanne loved music and when she was ill she spent so much time listening to a wide range of music, even when she was in intensive care”. Suzanne's husband, Craig, and her mother have donated an award and chosen the child who they feel has shown enthusiasm and musical potential.

The winner will receive a set of music lessons and, even though Suzanne's second child to attend Watton Junior School will be leaving this July, Mrs Meek is very much looking forward to maintaining links with the school by making the award an annual event.

Maggie Blundell, music co-ordinator at the school, said that when she was helping to plan the week, she wanted the children to experience as much live music as possible and this was achieved.

Performances enjoyed by the children included the Breckland Harmony choir, instrumental demonstrations by Sue and Dave Hatherley and the school's violin pupils, led by Frances Levy.

Pupils from Wayland High School sang a range of popular songs from their recent karaoke competition, organised by their teacher, Chris Dalton. Many children took part in a modern dance session with local teacher, Carla Keen, while Year 3 pupils learnt how to 'shimmy' during a lesson in belly dancing.

The week culminated with each class demonstrating a musical activity they had enjoyed. Year 6 had written their own songs, while other classes had studied the Beatles, The Sound of Music, Peter and the Wolf and Carnival of the Animals.

A staff concert, which included various comical routines, a quintet playing the steel pans and several duets, was well received by the children. Following tough auditions, the school is also holding a talent show with winners also receiving prizes of musical tuition.