Margaret's on song with course

Margaret James, from Whitchurch, will begin a three-month course in music with the Open University in November.

Earlier this year the grandmother-of-three gained her first degree, and now it seems she has well and truly caught the academic bug.

After studying for six years, the Bathfield Road resident picked up her BA honours degree in English literature from the Open University and attended her graduation ceremony with family and friends in Derby.

Now she is set to take on what she calls "a nice quiet course" focussing on one of her passions - classical music.

"I'm not studying for another degree but I am doing a short course with the OU," she said.

"It's all about listening to classical music which I am very interested in. There's two essays to do and no exams but it's all distance learning." Mrs James said she has amassed a collection of 500 classical CDs which she hopes will put her in good stead to breeze through her latest academic challenge.

She added: "I'm just doing it for pleasure and my thirst for knowledge is far from over.

"I'm having a bit of trouble with my eyes but I'm keeping my options open and might still do a history course next year.

"I think the family are pleased to see I'm keeping the old grey matter going."