Waterlooville Music Festival 2006

An excellent week enjoyed by all, seems to be the general consensus of opinion expressed by everyone who helped organise or visit St.George's during the week of the first ever Waterlooville Music Festival.

During the Festival there were 1,386 people in church including visitors to the lunchtime and evening concerts. The week began with the Scratch Messiah when more than 70 singers, including a number from our own congregation, came together to be rehearsed and conducted by Philip Drew. The result was a fantastic experience for performers and audience alike.

Throughout the week, there were 16 concerts offering a variety of music to suit different musical tastes. At lunchtimes visitors were able to listen to children from Oaklands and St. Peter's schools performing vocally and instrumentally or hear stirring organ recitals from Carey Humphreys, Liz Le Grove and Peter Cobb.

Evening concerts included music from the Meridian Singers and the Cantrelle Singers who provided a varied programme including some music from the shows, which had the audience "itching" to join in! The Havant Clarinet and Saxophones had the audience tapping their feet, and Havant Guitar Orchestra provided a complete contrast that was enjoyed immensely. Horndean Band entertained on another evening and Robert Blanken and Richard Shepherd played the clarinet and piano on a lovely evening which amazed passers-by as the music spilled outside.

On the Saturday everyone enjoyed the Summer Fair which took place on yet another hot summer's day. As well as the usual stalls, barbecue and competitions, visitors were entertained by the Horndean Swing Band and our own St. George's Maypole Dancers!! In the fading sun, the audience sat on the grass, enjoyed a Folk and Ale Festival and was entertained by "Mist on the Bog".

The week finished on the final Sunday with a Thanksgiving Eucharist, at which members of our own congregation performed in the morning and an evening service and concert led by Blendworth Brass.

The organising committee are extremely grateful to the sponsors of the festival, to those who arranged displays, the performers and a big thank you to all those people who gave of their time and helped in so many ways to make the week such a resounding success. It might interest you to know that there were 10 services held with 271 communicants, 400 draw tickets were sold with 24 prizes awarded, 18 sponsors were involved, 177 pieces of music were played and numerous glasses of wine, cups of coffee and lunches were served!

There is no doubt that the week was a huge success and thanks also to everyone who supported the events. The organising committee has decided to run the Festival again next year from the 9th to the 16th June 2007, subject to the PCC's approval. Fr. Mike said, "The Waterlooville Music Festival has been a fantastic success, which attracted large audiences to each of the performances. The musicians have given this town something of which to be proud".

Anne Morgan