Youth festival turns 30

A CELEBRATION to mark the 30th anniversary of Henley Youth Festival will take place next Friday.

About 200 children from 10 primary schools will perform at Holy Trinity Church.

Each school has written a verse for a group song based on the festival’s theme of “My Favourite Things”.

The event, which is by invitation, has been organised by Alfie Hay, one of the festival’s founders.

Laura Law, who chairs the festival’s trustees, said: “Alfie has gone round all the schools and they are going to sing a verse each about their favourite things, which is the theme of this year’s festival.

“At early festivals there were concerts at the Hexagon in Reading and so it will be really nice to have a nod back to those events in this, our 30th year.”

The nine-day festival kicks-off tomorrow (Saturday) with the annual fun run held at Henley Rugby Club.

On Sunday, the Music Makers event, for children from reception age to year 6, will take place at Rupert House School.

School workshops will take place from Monday to Thursday and will feature the Young Shakespeare Company.

On Wednesday is the new senior proms, for children in years seven to 13, at the Kenton Theatre.

Mrs Law said: “Last year we realised there were quite a few classical musicians who wouldn’t fit into the Gig Night event and were older than those who take part in Music Makers.

“We have about 13 different performers in two groups and 11 soloists. It is nice for the senior musicians to perform, too.”

The regular events of Young Performer, for those in years one to six, Gig Night, for years seven to 13, and the Variety, for years six to 13, will take place as usual.

A new bursary called the Sing, Speak, Be has been created in memory of Liz Balmford, a performer, coach and trainer who died in February last year. This year it has been awarded to Valley Road Primary chool for a group of students to use for a workshop.

The choir and their leader will be working with Joe Cummings, an experienced singing animateur and workshop leader. He will also be doing workshops for infants and juniors while at the school and the choir will perform at an assembly.

Mrs Law said: “The festival is all volunteer-led and it is so important to have it when the arts funding is under a bit of a threat.

“The festival is an opportunity to showcase local talent and to give a lot of children access to a stage and to be able to perform in front of people.

“It is giving people opportunities to come together, create and perform and allows children to form friendships and be creative and people to learn a great deal.”

For more information, visit https://www.hyf.org.uk

• A picture caption with an article in the Henley Standard on January 9 about a Henley Youth Festival memorial award incorrectly said that Tim Dickinson was the father of the late Liz Balmford. In fact, the picture showed Tim Balmford and he was her husband. We apologise for this error and any embarrassment caused.