King's Hawford
25 October
Roy Orbison charity day
On Thursday 25th October, King’s Hawford School dedicated a special day to Roy Orbison or “The Big O” as the children refer to him. It involved all of the children, and teachers, in a day to commemorate the 30th anniversary of death of Roy Orbison in 1988.
The day was the brainchild of the Head, Jim Turner, who has for many years regarded Roy Orbison in high esteem. He was delighted to be able to show off his prized possession, a signed Roy EP (extended player) to the children at the special assembly early on the day.
The children all enjoyed a special assembly, as well as, a number of themed activities throughout the day. All the children received a pair of Roy Orbison styled sunglasses to wear during the day and a Roy Orbison cupcake at the end of a Texan (the namesakes home town) themed lunch. Staff and children queued up for the chance to have their photos taken with a life-size cardboard cut-out of the man himself.
The children also entered artwork into a special Roy Art Show, for which there are suitably themed prizes. The evening rounded off the day with a fabulous concert involving all of the children in Years 3 to 6, staff and peripatetic music staff performing various songs and performances related to Roy Orbison. The children and parents watch with delight as some of their favourite teachers took to the stage to perform Roy songs and even the audience had the opportunity to join in with a karaoke version of “Oh, Pretty Woman” at the end of the show. It was a jubilant tribute to a man who is held dear to the King’s Hawford heart. All proceeds from the charity concert went towards the children’s chosen charity, Winston’s Wish- a charity supporting child bereavement in the UK. We raised just under £1000.
Mr. Turner, who has been a massive Roy fan for years, likes to take the opportunity to widen the children’s musical appetite. There have been assemblies to mark the passing of the great Fats Dominoes, Frank Sinatra musical events and other musical tributes.
“Unfortunately, the children are too young when Roy performed at the Goldmount Theatre Hall in Worcester or when he picked up his Morgan in Malvern. However, they can be Roy and sing Roy on this special day.”