School Aid - Where's The Money, Mr. Blair?

First there was Band Aid, then Live Aid and now it's SCHOOL AID. In deepest rural Broadchalke a revolution is brewing. Several months ago, the record producer, The Vicar - in despair at the sight of the local school in flames as a classroom burnt down, and with the playground already filled with mobile classrooms and challenged me to write a song to raise money for the new school. And ever since, our work on The Vicar’s Songbook No 1 has been regularly interrupted by gentle taps on the door as small children come to add their voices, often with the accompanying parent being badgered into discovering a hidden musical talent. No celebrities. A record made entirely by the local community for the local community.

And why is it needed? Because the old Victorian school needs replacing, and the government and our government is not supplying enough money. The school needs to raise at least £400,000 from the local community. £400,000! And here was me innocently thinking that those tax demands that land on our doorsteps pay for state schooling.

And I am sure Broadchalke school is not unusual. All schools need School Aid. So we have included an instrumental version of the song, inviting other schools to add their own voices and make their own versions to sell.

This is not a party political issue.
Where’s the money Mr Blair?
Can you spare a quid, Mr David?
Have you got any, Mr Kennedy?

David Singleton.
24 November 2005.

Tracks
1. Where's the money, Mr Blair?
2. Where's the money, Mr Blair? Lucas Mix
3. Where's the money, Mr Blair? Instrumental Mix

Personnel
The Vicar