IN BRIEF
71 YEARS OF THE
WIRRAL FESTIVAL PUPILS WILL RUN SEVEN
MARATHONS IN A DAY
Since 1949, the Wirral Festival of Music, Speech and
Drama has given amateur performers of all ages the
opportunity to showcase their talent. Entries are now
open to take part in the Festival’s 71st year in 2020,
which promises to be a wonderful celebration of the
performing arts. On Tuesday 17th December, pupils and parents from
Gayton Primary School in Wirral will take on the
ambitious challenge of running seven marathons in one
day in ‘festive fancy dress’ to raise money for their school.
Originally called the Bromborough Festival, the annual event has
attracted hundreds of entries each year from amateur musicians,
singers, choirs, orchestras, speakers and actors, who are given the
chance to perform in a supportive environment. The Festival runs over
two weekends in March, with speech and drama on the 21st and music
on the weekend of 27th and 28th. All performances are open to the
public.
Caitlin Edwards, Chair of the Wirral Festival committee comments:
“The standard across music, speech and drama is often phenomenal.
Many members of the audience have commented on the quality of
many of the performances and have been overwhelmed by the talent
on display.”
Entries close on 31st January 2020 and adults and children of any age
from Wirral and beyond are welcome to take part. The syllabi and
entry information are available on the Wirral Festival website now, visit
www.wirralfestival.co.uk.
Caitlin continues: “I feel it is so important to encourage participation
in the arts amongst adults and young people. It helps with confidence
building and being able to act, sing or play a musical instrument gives
so much pleasure to the individual and those who come and watch the
performances.”
We are always on the look out for new committee members so if anyone
would like to join us please email [email protected]
Children from Reception up to Year 6 can take part in the fundraising
challenge by running anything upwards from a single mile, with the
aim to run up a combined total of 183.4 miles.
The children will be using Gayton Primary School’s own marked ‘one
mile circuit’ within the playground, which is wheelchair accessible.
Parents will be able to join in to top up the total at the end of the
school day and children are already looking forward to cheering on
the adults.
The festive fundraising challenge was masterminded by the school’s
own PTA organisation, with the aim to raise £5,000, to get active
together and to work hard by taking on this fantastic challenge.
Headteacher at Gayton Primary School, Mrs Jennie McAleny, said:
"We’re all so excited to get started on our festive ‘7 Marathon Challenge.’
The children are particularly keen to persuade teachers and parents to
get their trainers on and join in, to top up the miles.
"Our PTA works hard to come up with creative and fun-filled ideas
and the funds raised will be used to buy additional equipment and
resources, so will directly benefit the children."
If you would like to support Gayton pupils, staff and families to raise
£5,000, please go to the fundraising link at:
https://www.justgiving.com/Gayton-PTA
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