Oh!!! I am soooo excited!! I have just received a phone call from my bear friend Barnabus ! He is in charge of the B.S.O.  Perhaps I should explain to you what the B.S.O. is, or perhaps you already know? They are world famous you know, but sometimes you may forget to read the newspaper one morning and that might have been the day that the B.S.O. was mentioned. That would be sad if you missed out on knowing about the B.S.O. just because you forgot to read the newspaper that morning. But then perhaps it wasn't your "fault" that you didn't read it, because maybe the newspaper delivery man just didn't bring it because his alarm clock didn't go off and wake him up. Then he was running late for work, and by the time he came to collect the newspaper to deliver…there was not any left to deliver! Or perhaps a dog came along and chewed away your newspaper that had been delivered onto the ground? Or perhaps the car or bike by which the newspaper is usually delivered broke down because of a hole in the tyres? Or perhaps… well I think I should stop saying all this and just explain who the B.S.O. is!! It is the Bear Symphony Orchestra! Wow!! This group of bears plays so many musical instruments, and each member plays their particular instruments very well! It is such a delight to listen to them playing! They play all sorts and types of music, Some pieces get your teddy paws toe/paw-tapping. Other pieces are calm and soothing. Lovely teddy lullabies emanate from their playing paws, and other times you just want to jump onto your teddy feet and start jiving about or singing at the top of your voice in response to the music.

 Barnabus bear is the Band leader and conductor of the orchestra. He rang me on my bear mobile phone to ask me if I could do him a BIG favour. Of course I replied, without even enquiring what the favour was! Well, I knew that it would be something that would be helpful to him and the orchestra, and because I like to be a courteous and helpful little teddy, I am always very eager to help out anyone and anywhere I am needed. Barnabus then explained the predicament he was in. The orchestra practises in a teddy Meeting hall every Thursday night. Barnabus said that it is quite a loud practice session, and a lot of fun and chatting takes place too. Well, on Thursday night, the orchestra will be unable to use this Meeting place hall, because it has been already booked to be used by another group of teddies. It is to be used for the monthly: "Little teddies story and book telling and reading time". It is a night when all the special young teddies get soooo excited because they put on their pyjamas and nighties and come to the Hall, and they have story books read to them!! Oh, to see the wide-eyed looks on their little faces as they listen to the stories being read to them!! Their ears are also wide open taking in every word that they hear! (Usually eyes are wide open taking in everything they see, but on these occasions their ears are wide open too!! Well, teddies do have big fluffy ears!!)Rachael the teddy book reader has a lovely speaking voice, and she is usually the teddy in charge of reading the stories to the teddies. This month, the books that are being read are: Goldilocks and the three bears, The adventures of Rupert, Tiny teddies take over Toytown, and Paddington bear goes on Holidays. I am sure that the little teddies will like hearing these stories read to them, don't you?! They are all given a nice glass of warm milk to drink whilst listening to the stories.

Anyway, Barnabus was ringing to ask if it would be at all possible for the orchestra to come to the Kiosk and practise there instead? It would only be for the one week, and they would attach "noise mufflers" to the inside door of the Kiosk, so as any noises that they make from the musical instruments would not be heard by any of the Strathalan Residents. Well, I had to think this through, so I mentally put on some "orchestra think music" in my head…for exactly 4 seconds! Yes, of course they could practice here in the Kiosk! I will give the official "yes" to them coming!

Now, where could they stand? Fiona the flautist could stand in front of the fridge or the freddo frogs, Terry the trombonist and Timmy the trumpeter could play their tunes  near the tim tams and the tarts, Sally the saxophonist will be happy near the saos or the strawberry jam, Patty the pianist could plonk away near the pascall lolly bags or the peppermints., Veronica the violinist would enjoy being situated near the venetian biscuits, Callum the cellist needs to be near any sort of cookie, Heather ( what a lovely name for a lady teddy !) the harpist  could  sit neat the honey, Derek the drummer might be suited to be close to the delta cream biscuits and of course Barnabus could just stand near the Kiosk serving counter and conduct the orchestra so that they keep to the right beat and tempo.  It may be a bit squashy with space with so many teddy musicians and their instruments all together in the Kiosk at the one time playing music, but imagine the joyful sounds helped muchly by the well designed acoustics of the Kiosk!

Now I have to mention that it will only be for the one Thursday night, and I have promised not to reveal to you the actual Thursday night date on which this practice will take place. The reason is that the orchestra is a little bit shy when they are practising, and they would feel a little bit embarrassed if lots and lots of Strathalan Residents all came out on the Thursday night and stood at the door and windows of the Kiosk to peek inside at them and listen to their music. They will just arrive as a surprise one Thursday, will enjoy their practice and then be gone before you can say "Talented Teddies Merrily Make Melodious Music playing Interesting Instruments!" But if you do happen to hear some nice music on a Thursday night, well you will know that the B.S.O. are in attendance at the Kiosk. I will be a happy and appreciative audience to them though when they come!

Until next time,

             Enjoy listening to very nice music!

                         Your friend, Mr. Kiosk-Ted Strath

                       Also simply known as "Ted"!!