GEMS, a community music club, has been awarded a grant of over £4,000 by the Local Network Fund.

The club organises activities that offer people a chance to be creative and make music in the less privileged parts of the borough. It was founded by classical viola player Ian Thiele after he had invited children onto the stage to improvise with percussion instruments when he performed in the Harrow Arts Festival in 1998.

Its fundraising officer Rina Trivedi is pictured receiving a cheque from Nigel Cooper, grants officer of the Wealdstone-based NW London Community Foundation (formerly Harrow Community Trust), which runs the LNF locally.

Rina said: "The last grant we received was £3,666 from the National Lottery in 2000, when we arranged some music workshops at the Rayners Lane estate. Thanks to this generous grant from the Local Network Fund, we have organised some exciting, free music activities for June and July."

Gems will be returning to the estate for a day of musicmaking, with "junk percussion" on June 15. It is also organising a disco for people with learning disabilities on June 28; taking part in the Tiger Day celebrations at Sai School on July 5, and hosting A Pirate's Life at Nower Hill School in North Harrow on July 6.

All of these events are open to children aged seven to 12. For full details, call 0208 864 4022 or see http://www.musicgems. co.uk.

The Local Network Fund is a government initiative supporting community groups which organise activities for children and young people.

May 30, 2003 10:30