Description

We are an East London based teaching string orchestra for adult late starters, regardless of age, background, experience or income and we want to encourage people to play music.

We provide a genuinely supportive and non-competitive environment and this is reflected in our methods and in the music we play. There are no auditions and from Day 1, even complete beginners will be able to join in orchestral playing.

Its founder members were inspired by a Tower Hamlets council initiative to encourage children to play stringed instruments.The council had set up a Saturday centre for the best and most motivated pupils and invited parents to drop in for a one-hour sample lesson.

"This was not with a view to getting something going among us adults," said one of the parents, "it was just to give us a better understanding of what the children were doing. But we went in there, and for me that was it. I had a preliminary lesson on the cello and I thought "This is amazing!" I could learn to play these instruments! It was just such an incredible moment"

A group of parents then went on to set up ELLSO and over 35 years later, hundreds of adults have felt the same thrill at handling these wonderful stringed instruments, many of them for the first time in their lives.

For most it comes as a revelation that they, too, can learn to play, that it's never too late and there is nothing, apart from their own inhibitions, to prevent them. ELLSO wants to break down barriers to music-making. Come and join us!

Description

Known as the ‘People’s Park’, Victoria Park is one of London’s favourite open spaces. Stretched over a huge 86.18 hectares, this swath of the outdoors is nestled entirely in Tower Hamlets

There are two expansive lakes (one with a Chinese pagoda island), a boating pond and Vicky Park is wonderful for youngsters: the V&A Playground is equipped with swings and other bits and bobs to play on and the fantastically designed Pools Playground encourages creative play. It’s also the place to go for outdoor pursuits with tennis courts, a bowling green and running track, plus football and cricket pitches. And if you work up a thirst? There's the Pavilion Café, where you can grab a bite to eat before kicking back in the splendour of Pennethorne's lovely vision.

Victoria Park is a key link in a green corridor that stretches from the River Thames at Limehouse, along the Regents Canal and through Mile End Park, along with the new Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park virtually next door. The park is bordered on its northern boundary by the London Borough of Hackney.

The Victorian Bandstand is an original feature of the park and nestles in the Eastern side near Crown Gate.

Victoria Park,

Tower Hamlets,

City of London,

Greater London,

England,

E9 7DD.