Over 2,700 talented performers from the local area took part in the 99th Alderley Edge Festival of Music, Speech and Drama which concluded with a spectacular finale on Saturday, May 9th.
Meticulous planning by the committee members, with the support of 70 volunteers, meant that despite the challenges faced, everything went as smoothly as ever.
At Saturday evening's Festival Finale, held this year at the Alderley Edge School for Girls, the audience were treated to a varied programme - everything from the delightful Joe Butler-Smith singing "The Little Boy Blues" to the cellist Lili Holland-Fricke playing with a maturity that belies her age of just fourteen.
Whilst looking back on a hugely successful Festival, the committee is already looking forward to the special events planned for next year when Alderley Edge celebrates it's one hundredth Festival.
Festival Chairman, Keith Lowe said, "It was yet another wonderful Festival conducted in a spirit of friendliness, helpfulness and calmness. Next year will be our 100th Festival. This is a historic event for the village of Alderley Edge and we need to make sure that this is recognised, and I am open to any suggestions as to how we can mark this milestone in the village's history."
A centenary concert has already been planned for next year which will feature past winners, some of whom are now professional musicians and actors - which is sure to be a very special event.
Keith added, "Putting on such an event, and others leading up to the 100th Festival, does not come cheap. I would be very grateful if people could think about sponsoring any event leading up to our Festival next year. The whole committee and I are determined that the 100th Festival will be the event of 2016."
Photos: Alderley Edge School for Girls Infants Choir, Tallula Vaughan and Honey Dickinson, Charlotte MacDonald, Imogen Morris, Amy Cartwright and Bridie McDonald, William Jeys, the string quartet from Cheadle Hulme School, Mia Serracino-Inglott and Lili Holland-Fricker.
