A MUSIC Centre dedicated to a Haygrove School teacher who spent 40 years at the school as a teacher and assistant headteacher has been opened.

The John Hoare Music Centre was opened by Cllr Ian Dyer, chair of Sedgemoor District Council.

Cllr Dyer, who was a student at the school when it changed from Dr Morgan’s Grammar School to Haygrove, said: “The quality of young people who come out of Haygrove School is exceptional.

“I am delighted to be here in this wonderful new facility and I can see that it is going to bring great benefits to the students and the school.”

The long-awaited a bespoke music centre means students have the benefit of two large music teaching rooms, equipped with Apple Mac IT suites, several practice rooms, which are also used for one-to-one music teaching and a recording studio, complete with a ‘green wall’ for making creative music videos.

Balloons were released by Cllr Dyer and a celebratory cake was cut by Mr Hoare, as part of the formal opening proceedings.

The School Choir sang ‘True Colours’ to the assembled guests, which included Bridgwater MP Ian Liddell-Grainger, local councillors, governors and the Old Morganian Society.

‘The Hardley Fentons’ performed a set on an open air stage in the outdoor performance area.

Mr Hoare, whose wife and daughter accompanied him to the event, spoke of his enormous pride when he was told that the school wanted to name the centre after him.

He said: “Music is so important to a school. Children are surrounded by music in their everyday lives and having witnessed the clear enjoyment they get from their music lessons and from performing, it is clear that music makes a significant contribution to the all round experience of education.

“And that is the key to what we aim to achieve here at Haygrove: when our children enjoy school, they enjoy learning. It is an honour to have this new music centre named after me.”