TALENTED musicians, singers and actors flocked to Alderley Edge for its annual festival which proved a "happy" hit with competitors and spectators alike.
The Alderley Edge Festival of Music, Speech and Drama saw more than 2,000 finely-tuned entrants over four days of musical and theatrical contests - and organisers have praise ringing in their ears for what festival-goers called "a wonderfully happy and well-organised event".
Chairman Keith Lowe said: "It’s so nice to hear parents say our festival is one of the best they’ve been to.
"It’s a competition but still fun and everyone involved is concerned about the happiness and wellbeing of all competitors."
The proud chairman cites a spirited mission by The Ryleys School to get a drum kit to one drum less contestant as a good example of what the festival is all about.
He said: "One boy came along with his drum sticks but no drums and Pat and Barbara Bennett from the school got us a kit within minutes.
"That epitomises the ethos of the festival and friendliness of the Alderley community."
Stand-out performances for Keith included Russell and Hannah Redhead, from Prestbury, who won the William Roache award for their duologue.
Keith said: "They are fabulous, the Redhead family have been involved with the festival for years, they are such a talented family."
Alderley’s Imogen Levy, 17, won the Marion Rodgers award for the best song in the Alderley Young Singer of the Year competition and David Fearn, 15, won the singing contest with "a voice to die for".
Festival highlights also included Junior Singer of the Year Natasha Agarwal, with her "amazing" finale song interpretation, and little Geordie Campbell, six, from Warrington, who couldn’t even reach the pedals but beat much bigger competitors to win the piano solo contests for school Years 1 and 2.
Amy Francis, from Alderley Edge School for Girls, played out the festival on finale night as Jazz Solo winner on alto-sax with her teacher Neil Shaw-Hulme on piano.
Finale night also saw an appearance from international pianist Kathy Stott, who came along to represent The Halle, a new festival partner.
And no stranger to a festival standing ovation, Alderley favourite Laurence Jeffcoate, fresh from his role in the West End’s "Oliver", made his return to the finale.
Keith said: "Laurence still has an amazing voice, it’s so clear and his range has improved, he still sings treble but can hit lower notes too.
"The festival is all about giving young people a stage for their talent and we will be looking at how we can encourage the performers to be in touch with The Halle.
"I want to thank the schools, teachers, parents and committee who dedicate themselves with a passion."
POWNALL Hall School’s musicians and orators reached double figures in first place certificates as they gave veteran music teachers Kate Oldfield and Anna Meadmore a glowing send off at the Alderley Edge Music Festival.
Musical maestro Kate has been coaching Pownall’s performers for 38 years and operatic singer and teacher Anna for the last 23 years. Pownall have pulled out all the stops for the famous Alderley Edge Music Festival.
Working together for the last time, their performers produced a wonderful series of top quality performances.
Among the winners in the innovative TV News Reader category was George Smith aged 10, pictured in for foreground of the picture.
Kate Oldfield said: ³I have enjoyed every second of my association with the Alderley Edge Music Festival, but much more importantly so have all the children."
She added: "The Alderley Edge Festival provides a wonderful platform for our youngsters to perform and has helped to develop many generations of confident, talented young people who appreciate that good things come from practice."
