IF you just cannot bear the cold weather anymore, then get yourself down to the Colchester Arts Centre this weekend for an annual event that will warm the cockle of your heart.

That’s the Teddy Bears’ Musical Concert performed by the talented young musicians of the Colne Valley Youth Orchestra.

This year there will be a variety of musical pieces for children of all ages including the specially composed setting of Giraffes Can’t Dance, arranged by the orchestra’s very own director and founder, Nigel Hildreth.

There’s also The Ugly Duckling, as well as a number of popular movie themes from the likes of sci-fi classic Star Wars and the modern Disney classic Beauty and the Beast together of course with the concert’s namesake The Teddy Bears’ Picnic.

In addition to this year’s repertoire is the children’s favourite poem book, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, which much like Nigel’s Giraffe piece, will be specially set to music for this event.

As always the annual concert offers children aged four and above the opportunity to have a go at conducting the young orchestra, join in by playing percussion instruments and also to sing along as well as seeing young people enjoying performing in an orchestra.

Nigel says: “This concert is a perfect way to get young children enjoying music played by an orchestra. We have them singing along, getting their own teddy bears to dance to the music and playing some percussion instruments to help our orchestra along.

“It’s a wonderful event and we’d love to see it packed out this year with lots of children and most importantly of all, teddies.”

The concert, which this year is in aid of the Grassroots charity, will take place at the Colchester Arts Centre in Church Street, on Sunday, February 4, from 2.30pm.

Tickets are £6 for adults, £3 for children under 16 with under 2’s allowed in for free.

There’s also a family ticket for two adults and two children priced £15.

All tickets are available on the door on the day or in advance from the Colchester Arts Centre box office on 01206 500900 or their website at colchesterartscentre.com