Memorial award introduced for 30th youth festival

MY Favourite Things is the theme of this year’s Henley Youth Festival, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Hundreds of young people will take part in musical, artistic and sporting events and performances during the festival, which will run from March 2 to 10.

Workshops will be held at schools and pupils will come together to perform a verse from their favourite song at a celebration at the town hall on March 8.

New for this year is a Bhangra dance workshop and Senior Proms for music makers aged seven to 13.

The art, film and writing competitions will all follow the theme.

The competition to design the festival logo was won by Penny White, 13, a pupil at Gillotts School, out of 73 children aged four to 18 who entered. Her design features symbols representing ice skating, travelling, music and reading, her favourite things.

The official launch of the festival was held at the River & Rowing Museum and attended by Henley Mayor Kellie Hinton, organisers, sponsors and supporters.

The Valley Road School choir sang Oliver and I’d Do Anything from Oliver Twist! and Naughty from Matilda and there was also a performance by the Henley Suzuki Violin Group and Amelia Watson and Leo Rizzi, alias Just the Two of Us.

Laura Law, who chairs the festival, said: “I was in it in 1994, 30 years ago. This year we’ll have the run as always and we then crack on with our week of events. There’s loads of school workshops and performing arts events.”

Councillor Hinton said she had also participated at the first festival while at Trinity Primary School.

“What a wonderful organisation it has become,” she said. “I love that it is all the young people coming together. They produce fantastic music and artwork and the evenings are spectacular.”

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.

It will be awarded each year to a school for a group of students to use for a workshop, masterclass or training session.

Festival trustee Kate Swinburne-Johnson said: “Liz’s family and friends were really keen for us to organise an award that would really be fitting.

“Liz was an amazing performer and encouraged young singers and performers.”

The first award has been made to Valley Road Primary School.