‘Growing’ festival to give opportunities to perform

MORE than 50 people attended the launch of this year’s Henley Youth Festival.

The 31st annual event will take place at various venues from March 8 to 15 and is for children aged four to 18 who live or go to school in Henley.

It has a theme of “Growing” and will include workshops, competitions, performances, art exhibitions, a fun run and more.

Michaela Clarke, who chairs the festival, hosted the event at the d:two centre in Market Place on Tuesday last week, which was attended by pupils, parents and teachers.

She succeeds Laura Matthews as chairwoman, who stepped down after last year’s festival after three years in the role.

Mrs Clarke, who lives in Henley, told the audience that she had helped to organise the event previously.

She said: “Many of you may not know that I was on the steering committee of the festival about 15 years ago when my kids were really little. When I heard that they were struggling for a chair, I put my hat back on and I’m delighted to be back.

“I’ve come back because it’s such an amazing festival and an opportunity for children to get involved in things that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to, such as performing on stage at the Kenton Theatre.”

Entertainment was provided by pupils at Badgemore Primary School and Shiplake College.

Fourteen children, from Year 3 to 6, at Badgemore sang This is Me from The Greatest Showman.

Jolie James, aged nine, who performed in the choir, said: “What I like about singing is that when you’re singing you can let your voice just go out and it feels really nice to do.” Her mother Selina Brathwaite, from Henley, said: “I think all of them performed beautifully. It’s a lovely song that was chosen for them to sing. What a great night for it to be launched and to hear all about it.”

Gaynor Styer, who is the singing lead at the school, said: “They did really well and looked so smart. We worked hard at Christmas, so this is our first song since all the celebrations. I always think about what they will enjoy singing and it’s nice to bring them together to perform. We do rounds and harmonise where we can and they love it. It’s nice to have an established school choir because it develops the arts and the passion for that.”

The Highliners, comprising pupils at Shiplake College, performed Ain’t No Sunshine by Bill Withers.

Amelie Holden, 17, sang while Felix Collar, 17, played bass and Johnny Pearson, 14, played guitar.

Chris Pearson, 48, Johnny’s father and a fine art advisor from Henley, said: “He’s been playing the guitar since he was tiny, about six or seven.

“He started really taking it much more seriously in the last three or four years and now he plays for two hours a day. He has done grades but he’s a bit too free-spirited for that, you have to let the creativity flow.”

The festival begins on Saturday, March 8, with a fun run at Henley Rugby Club at 8.30am. Children from reception to Year 6 can enter. Runners must register in advance. The school with the most entrants will receive £250 worth of sporting equipment.

Music Makers will take place at Rupert House School on March 9. This is open to all primary school-aged singers and musicians.

Three new shows have been added to the programme at the Kenton Theatre from Wednesday, March 12 to Friday 14. There is a young variety show for those in Year 1 to 5, a show for those in Year 6 to 13 and a gig night for musicians and bands in Year 6 to 13.

An art and film competition prize-giving will be held at the town hall on March 15 and a writing competition prize-giving will be at the Bell Bookshop on March 8.

Young writers also have an opportunity to report on an event at this year’s festival for the Henley Standard, as part of its Young Reporter Competition.

Entry deadlines for all the events close on February 25. To register for the fun run, visit www.physio
listic.co.uk/hyf-run

For more information and to volunteer, email hyfchair@gmail.com and visit www.hyf.org.uk