Terri Hayes-Pugh of Cotswold Homes hands over the new glockenspiels to pupils.

Local housebuilder Cotswold Homes has helped a Wiltshire primary school to enhance its music teaching by donating ten glockenspiels, boosting the limited number of instruments available to pupils previously.

Cotswold Homes, which is selling brand new homes in an exclusively private enclave of just ten on its Broughton Court development in the village of Broughton Gifford near Melksham, has provided the instruments for use by pupils at the nearby St Mary’s CofE Primary School.

Welcoming the company’s support, head teacher Jo Williams said: ‘Unlike the present informal arrangement, these T-shirts will help us to raise the profile of Barley Close Primary by providing greater awareness of our name as well as consistency in the clothing worn by our pupils at events with other schools, typically sport and dancing.’

According to Mrs Orchard, the glockenspiel is a ‘great alternative’ to learning the recorder.

She explained: ‘It enables the children to work on learning to read the music and producing a recognisable tune in a relaxed atmosphere. If they choose to play a more complex instrument later on, they will be well-placed to read the score.’

Music to the ears of Cotswold Homes is the news that the popularity of its Broughton Court scheme means half of the homes already have been sold.

‘A number have been snapped up by young couples who are first-time buyers,’ reports Terri Hayes-Pugh, Cotswold Homes’ sales and marketing director.

‘Several made use of the Government’s Help-to-Buy scheme which can assist purchasers buying with a deposit of just five per cent.’ (Terms and conditions apply – visit www.helptobuy.gov.uk)*

Also popular is Cotswold Homes’ GameChanger package which, subject to terms and conditions, can help with moving costs such as estate agency fees or by paying for carpets.

Within reach are several places of work, including nearby Bradford-on-Avon or, about 11 miles away, Bath. High-speed rail links with London and Bristol are available from Chippenham.

*Please note: The Government's Help to Buy Scheme has now ended.