Getting into Farming

Since we have bought a farm it seems appropriate that we should get into farming....

...actually we are just looking for somewhere to house our beautiful farm machinery. Whilst we will retain some smaller items, within the upstairs room there is a large machine called a dresser. Made by Robert Boby Ltd, an agricultural factory that was based in Bury St Edmunds, it is a local artefact for which we would like to find a new home. It probably dates from the 1940s-50s and we think was in use until about 1980.

We have approached the Folk Museum in Cambridge as well as the Farm Museum at Denny Abbey and the Museum of East Anglian Life. We hope one of these places will be able to house it and illustrate its history appropriately. However, should any of our readers be in the position to take up this conservation challenge please do get in touch before it is too late.

www.folkmuseum.org.uk

www.dennyfarmlandmuseum.org.uk

www.eastanglianlife.org.uk

Support Prospect Burma - Book Auction

Since 1992 the ACE Foundation has made a number of donations to Prospect Burma to assist with educational programmes. We wish to support them now by recognising their achievements over the years despite very difficult circumstances, and by offering you an opportunity to make a contribution directly.

Prospect Burma are holding a book auction and have a fascinating collection of literature available. As well-educated, interesting people you might be interested to browse the list and place a bid!

The list of books can be found at www.prospectburma.org and bids made by emailing dan@prospectburma.org.

Cambridge Brass Day

For those with fast filling diaries write in CAMBRIDGE BRASS DAY WITH PRIME BRASS on the 21st November. All brass instruments welcome, details to follow soon.

Alan Barnes on Radio 4 about Cannonball Adderley

Ken Clarke's Jazz Greats on Radio 4 hosted Alan Barnes on Cannonball Adderley this week. An interesting show with plenty of music, you can still listen on iplayer until Tuesday 26th Jan 2010. (see link below)

We are looking forward to some of Barnes's talent at our own playing day on 4th July. See www.acefoundation.org.uk/courses, for more details.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00pxmcx/Ken_Clarkes_Jazz_Greats_Series_8_Cannonball_Adderley/

Promoting music throughout society

We recognise that many people in the working world today can not commit to regular music lessons or societies due to time constraints. We hope that our day courses will provide for these people. Many companies and businesses cater for this by providing staff welfare services that help their staff to keep up with life outside work. If you know of a company or business in regions in or near to Cambridge who might be interested in promoting our courses to their staff, please contact us at ace@acefoundation.org.uk, and let us know their details.

Christmas Holiday Orchestra

Our own musical director, Trevor Barlow, was course director for the 2009 Christmas Holiday Orchestra. Not only did he manage to introduce extra special variety to the course, but he also managed to take plenty of photo's! (see our facebook albums for more images)

With ACE sponsoring him Trevor was able to invite Alan Barnes, top Jazz Saxophonist soon to be leading our jazz course, to inspire the children with some awesome playing and a jazz workshop and he invited new conductors and instruments making it an extra special occasion.

The ACE team were able to experience the courses' results at the lunchtime jazz concert where the children performed with Alan Barnes to stupendous effect! It was clear that everyone, including Alan, benefited from the experience and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Professor Sir Paul Mellars

The ACE Foundation congratulates their chairman, Professor Paul Mellars, on receiving a knighthood in the New Year's honours list for his services to scholarship and archaeology.

Happy New Year!

To all our blog readers and ACE supporters we wish you the best for 2010.

Don't forget to sign up to the Cambridge Clarinet & Saxophone Day and the Jazz Day with Alan Barnes before its too late!