My dream came true (From Warrington Guardian)

My dream came true

THE trip of a lifetime awaits a Northwich teacher who is jetting off to Ghana this summer to bring back a wide scope of musical knowledge.

Maggie Richardson, a music teacher at Rudheath High School, has been awarded a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust travelling fellowship to research music and learn skills to benefit this country during a five-week journey to Ghana.

Maggie said: "I'm really excited and quite nervous - I've never been to Ghana before but I've always wanted to go there."

During her five-week trip Maggie will learn more about West African music, which she can pass on to pupils at Rudheath High School as well as to her choirs, the Wheelock-based South Cheshire Singers and the Rudheath-based Phoenix Youth Choir.

She will also focus on her drumming skills, buy instruments for the school and community and collect songs for publication through a national choral charity, Sing for Pleasure, of which she is the chairwoman.

Maggie will also have a chance to go to the week-long Panafest Festival, which celebrates African culture and history through music.