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Brief History of Woolpit Festival

Welcome to WFS Website

Eileen Jones started Woolpit Music Week in the mid 1970s,being a progression from the Mill House Singers,a Choir of some 70 singing members formed by Eileen in 1972. In the Wfs archives we have a 1975 programme, provided by Mike Canning, of a Concert comprising a programme of "Gems from the Light Operas of Gilbert & Sullivan." Concerts were given mainly by talented local musicians and a choir of local people of all ages, performing works such as Handel's 'Messiah', Mendelssohn's 'Elijah', 'The Requiem' by Gabriel Faure, Bach Cantatas and a touring production of Gilbert & Sullivan's 'Mikado'. Popular Musicals followed, including two particular favourites, 'Oliver' and 'Jesus Christ Superstar'. These events usually took place in St Marys Church, the Village Hall or the Institute and were often followed by a party or barbecue. Several well known people came to Music Week, including Jake Thackray, Iris Williams, James Blades, Robert Docker and Victoria Wood, with the Church filled to overflowing for a memorable concert by cellist Julian Lloyd Webber. After Music Week, in 1987 Eileen retired and the Committee that she had by then set up carried on and became the Woolpit Festival Society. Anne-Marie Mlinaric as Chairman for the first year, then followed by David Cordon who was also appointed as Festival Director. The Festival went from strength to strength with audiences getting larger and more high profile artistes. One particular Festival favourite was former newsreader, Richard Baker. David Cordon was followed in 2002/03 as Director by Ray Melvin, who upped the standard even higher with such popular visitors as Pam Ayres, Rodney Bewes, Jenny Agutter, Moira Shearer, Sylvia Sims, the Locrian Ensemble, and some Jazz greats, such as Terry Lightfoot, Kenny Ball and the Temperance 7. In 2009, Lionel Denny followed Ray as Director, and enjoyed a sell out finale concert from Jacqui Dankworth and her Band.Woolpit Festival is now a well established, and popular event, thanks to the hard work and efforts of the Committee & the foresight of Eileen Jones.

"We wish you a warm welcome to the Woolpit Festival Society Website". A very enjoyable and succesful 2010 Woolpit Festival concluded with Robert Powell and Lisa Goddard in the Show 'A Silver Screen' on Sunday 20th June. The consensus of opinion was that this years Festival was one of the best, with excellent support from Festival friends and members, and some terrific audiences. The audience participation during the Richard Digance Show, had to be seen to be believed. Now we start planning for 2011. Watch this space!!!