A SUMMER course for young musicians in Blackbird Leys may not get an encore if organisers cannot get funding.

Last year, Oxfordshire County Music Service ran a successful free four-day course at the end of the holidays for Leys youngsters to brush up on their music and arts skills.

But a repeat performance is now in jeopardy after Blackbird Leys Parish Council refused the service a grant of £4,618 to cover running costs last month.

County Music Service deputy head Liz Stock said: “Last year we received a grant and all the children involved received an Arts Award.

“But unfortunately it was decided not to offer the money this year.

“The problem was it was quite an intensive course over the few days and we use professional teachers, who of course cost money.”

Since 2013, the Blackbird Leys String Band has brought together children from local primary schools in Saturday morning sessions at Pegasus School.

The summer course was intended as a way to get some of its 30 youngsters back into practice after the holidays and introduce other arts activities.

Mrs Stock added: “It’s not for an enormous group of children but we believe passionately that these children are really benefitting, and the schools say they are – enormously. It is improving all aspects of their education and the children don’t have to pay for it, which is key.”

Alternate sources of funding are being explored in the hope that the course can still go ahead in August.

In the latest round of the Blackbird Leys Parish Council’s twice-yearly grants this June, £16,265 was shared out between six organisations. The County Music Service, which is operated by Oxfordshire County Council, was the only applicant not to receive any funding.

Money from the grants comes from parish precepts, a small amount of the local council tax added by parish councils.

Parish council chairman Gordon Roper said: “Our decision was for two reasons: firstly, the money was going to be used to pay wages for teachers, and we are not allowed to pay wages from parish precepts.

“And when you saw that it was only for four days, £4,600 seemed a lot of money. We funded this last year and had had a good discussion about it.

“It is run by the county council and with their cutbacks, they should be thinking about part-funding or fully funding it. They have got a bigger pot.”