A carpentry student from West Suffolk College is feeling on top of the world after the budding musician got a job playing the piano at Edmunds Restaurant.

 

16 year old Robert Beevers from Hill Farm near Somersham casually mentioned that he had musical ambitions to his personal progress tutor at the College, Julie Evans.

 

Julie then spoke to the head of carpentry, Brian Tunbridge, who got in touch with Claire Waterson, the Operations Manager at Edmunds in Bury St Edmunds and an audition for Robert was hastily arranged.

 

After wowing staff with his prowess on the piano, the youngster was given a job on the spot and now has a weekly residency at the award winning eatery that is based within the West Suffolk College grounds.

 

Whilst his career in music has only just begun, Robert, who makes his own compositions, has big ambitions.

 

He said: “I enjoy wood turning and carpentry but my ambition is to eventually go to somewhere like the Royal Academy of Music. I self-taught myself but I get tuition from Robbie Gladwell who has worked with the likes of Percy Sledge, BB King and Status Quo.

 

“I want to become a professional musician. I know that it’s more difficult to do that coming from a rural area – but Ed Sheeran has proved it can be done. He lived out in the sticks but managed to get to the top of the charts. If the music doesn’t work out, I have the carpentry to fall back on.”

 

Claire Waterson, said: This is such a lovely story and we feel honoured to have Robert as our resident.

 

“The piano he plays on was donated by one of our governors (Richard Bridgeman) who donated three quarters of the amount thanks to a fundraising campaign and dinner - and the rest was donated by my husband (Matt Waterson).

 

“It’s great that the piano is now regularly graced by such a talented pianist.”

 

Carpentry lecturer, Brian Tunbridge, added: “We are delighted to have Robert in our ranks. He is a talented carpenter and a brilliant musician.” 

 

Robert’s mother Sarah Beevers, said: “I’m exceedingly proud of Robert. I’ve been told he has the ability to become a professional musician.

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“Playing the piano and wood turning have been a great release for him during lockdown and being able to perform at Edmunds has been the highlight of his time at the College so far.

 

“Who knows, Edmunds today, the Royal Albert Hall tomorrow.”