MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Dear All,

As Chair of the Newcastle under Lyme Festival for Music, Speech and Drama, I hope that you will find the Syllabus, for our Festival in March 2018, of interest.

Following a very successful Festival last year we hope to, again, increase the number of entries this year. The new Music Festival “home” at Clayton Academy was well received by competitors and the new classes for choirs were given the “thumbs up” by Adjudicators.  In fact the adult choirs class held on Saturday afternoon was judged to be “ one of the best classes I have heard for a long time” by the adjudicator.

Our Speech and Drama Festival will again be held at Newcastle College where we are always made to feel very welcome.

This year we have some new members on our committee. They are all realising very quickly that our Festival takes a lot of time and effort  in order for it to run smoothly. They have taken over the reins of some who have served the Festival very faithfully over many years and I wish to thank both old and new for all their efforts. In particular, I wish to thank Elsie Ashley for the many years that she was President of the Festival. She was totally committed to encouraging those of all ages to enjoy and learn from their Festival experiences and she always attended much of the Festival.  Unfortunately she is no longer able to do this.

We were very pleased that Margaret Tebby  has accepted the role of President.

This year we are trying to encourage more people to help the Festival by donating something toward the cost of the Festival. The Festival is run by unpaid volunteers, however, items such as professional adjudicators and venue hire need to  be paid for and entry fees only partly cover these costs.  We are asking that you consider helping , by becoming a festival PATRON or FRIEND.  Both Patrons and Friends will be sent a free Programme which admits them to events at the Festival. Patrons will be acknowledged in the programme. We are asking that Patrons donate a minimum of £30 and friends a minimum of £15.  These can be gift aided so that a donation of £1 becomes £1.25.  Our treasurer will be delighted to hear from you and provide you with the relevant form.   David Webb, 35 Watlands Avenue, Newcastle, Staffs ST5 8AS. Tel 01782 624186.   Thank you.

I would really like you to be a part of a Festival which aims to give all age groups the opportunity to share their talents with others as well as receiving encouraging comments from friendly adjudicators. I look forward to meeting you next March.

Best Wishes,

Carol Reddish

Tel 01782 613265

E-mail: carolreddish@btinternet.com