NICE youngsters have a wizard time

Dec 21 2007 By Tony Collins, Birmingham Mail

CHILDREN at a charity-run centre in Birmingham produced a wizard show to help spread Christmas cheer.

Youngsters at the National Institute of Conductive Education at Cannon Hill Park, Moseley, dressed up as characters including a lion, a scarecrow and a tin man as they performed the ever-popular musical The Wizard of Oz.

The physically disabled children performed the play in front of an appreciative "standing room only" audience of parents and other family members, plus staff and volunteers.

Other people invited to enjoy the pre-Christmas production included representatives from corporate supporters including Zurich, NEC, Moneyway, Lockton, Land Rover and Solihull's St Alphege Rotary Club.

The Wizard of Oz was adapted to enable each child, whose conditions include cerebral palsy and other motor disabilities, to contribute to the performance.

The Moseley site, run by the Centre of Excellence for Children, includes a parent and child pro- gramme for under-threes, a nursery and a primary school.

School head Wendy Baker said: "The play is always a popular event with our parents who make the fabulous costumes.

"The sense of achievement for the children was immense. They had great fun, really enjoying getting dressed up, showing off their talents and displaying their increasing confidence.

"The children's all-round development through their daily work is showcased in such events."

Details from schooladministrator@conductive-education.org.uk or 0121 449 1569.