Cumbria has the R Factor

Primary School children across Cumbria are to be given a unique chance to show off their musical talents in front of a team of judges, just like on the X Factor.

THE R FACTOR in association with Resource Cumbria - Cumbria`s Waste Partnership between the 7 local authorities - wants pupils to devise a musical message to encourage Cumbrian people to practice the three Rs of waste awareness - reduce, reuse and recycle.

Martin Allman, Waste Prevention Manager, Cumbria County Council, " In the last 3 years Cumbria has reduced its landfill waste by 100,000 tonnes through increasing recycling and composting. This is a fantastic recycling rate, however for the future it`s important that we continue the good work and make Cumbria create as little waste as possible. The R FACTOR is a really exciting competition that children can really express themselves in, whilst learning about the importance of the environment - I`m looking forward to listening to the results! "

Early in the New Year all primary pupils who have been registered by their teachers will take part in a self contained workshop with professional music charity "MusicLinks" in which they will plan, write and record a song to promote and the 3Rs of rubbish.

Andy Halsey, MusicLinks, "As well as guiding the pupils through the whole process of the competition in a child friendly manner, we will encourage the children to explore and develop musical ideas through song composing, developing their own musical instruments using recycled materials plus work and perform as a team."

Once pupils have recorded their masterpiece it will be listened to by the R FACTOR judges who will select 3 finalists from North Cumbria and 3 from the south of the county to go through to a public vote on Lakeland Radio, Abbey FM, The Bay and CFM.

"All Primary Schools across the county have been sent details of the project," explained Gordon Thompson of CN Radio who are coordinating the on-air competition, "and in order to take part teachers must register their pupils by 21st November 2008." This can be done via the application form they have been sent."

The 2 winners (one from the North of the county and one from South Cumbria) will have their song professionally recorded at their school, ready to be used as an on air promotional campaign to encourage everybody in Cumbria to reduce, reuse and recycle.

"The R FACTOR is a great way to increase awareness," said Councillor Ray Bloxham, Chair of the Resource Cumbria Partnership, "as the youngsters will learn about the importance of recycling in a fun and enjoyable way, and they will hopefully take their knowledge home to their parents."