Saturday 5th July 2008

POST FESTIVAL PRESS RELEASE:

Wakefield welcomes its new Arts Festival

THE Rotary Club of Wakefield, in partnership with schools, businesses and individuals, staged an ambitious new Arts Festival on Saturday 5th July at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School.

The event, which used four different venues at the school, was opened by Sir Rodney Walker, an honorary member of the club, and despite continuous downpours the show went on regardless.

During the day local primary and secondary schools displayed their blossoming talents, together with local amateur groups. The day was packed with choirs, strings, a brass band, Gilbert and Sullivan, Featherstone Male Voice Choir, drama and dancing. Broadcaster Ian Clayton read extracts from his books. An exhibition of art formed a colourful backcloth.

The evening culminated with a major concert. Olivia Dobson and Matthew Hodges, two Wakefield teenagers who are potential stars of the future, opened the entertainment with solo performances ahead of the main attraction, the Big Chris Barber Band. The event sealed the success of Wakefield's first Rotary-inspired festival.

While the festival incorporated a wide range of high-quality cultural activities providing excellent entertainment, the main objective was to raise funds for the many good causes supported by the Wakefield club. Proceeds of a raffle organised in the run-up to the event are being shared with Wakefield Hospice.

Club vice-president Sue Parkin was the originator and main co-ordinator of the festival. She said: "It took a great deal of planning and I pay tribute to all the members of the club and our supporters who helped to make it a success. We shall now assess the day's events and decide what we can do in the future."

The aim was to provide an arena for public access to the many artistic endeavours of local schools and other groups at the end of the academic year. At the same time it was designed to help fund raising for charitable causes supported by the Rotary Club - many details of which can be found in other parts of this web site.