The search goes on...
13th June 2007
• 1977
WERE you a prize violinist in the 60s or a flautist in the 80s?
Well the organisers of Weston Junior Arts Festivals want to hear your memories of competitions gone by, stories of those that have moved on to fame or fortune and see photographs from past contests.
A souvenir programme will then be produced for a special 60th anniversary concert taking place on October 7.
The Weston & Somerset Mercury has dusted off its old photos to start the search.
Below are pictures of the junior arts festival in 1967, 1968, 1977 and 1987.
If you recognise yourself in the photographs or have some of your own, send them to Junior Arts Festival, Weston & Somerset Mercury, 32 Waterloo Street, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 1LW or email newsdesk@thewestonmercury.co.uk
• 1967
• 1987
• 1987
Cherry's musical memories
• Cherry Hillier (left) is pictured in 1967.
THE teenager who once beat famous composer Nigel Hess to win a prestigious music cup has told the Weston & Somerset Mercury about her golden memories of taking part in the town’s Junior Arts Festival.
Cherry Hillier, who now lives in Devizes, spotted herself in a special feature in a recent edition of the Mercury.
The newspaper is helping organisers trace past arts festival winners to celebrate the 60th anniversary. Cherry remembers being a very excited 16-year-old entering the competition.
Another of her fond memories is playing alongside her school friend, Nigel Hess. He now composes for the BBC, producing theme tunes for series such as Hetty Wainthropp Investigates and films including Ladies in Lavender.
Cherry was taught the piano by her music teacher Evelyn Porter, of Ashcombe Road, Weston, who entered many of her students into the junior arts festival every year.
Cherry attended Weston Grammer School for Girls and then went on to join the boys school to study A-levels.
Her favourite memory is winning the Beethoven cup in 1968 and 1970 and getting to play a piano.
Cherry said: “The piano was fantastic, unlike mine at home. Competing was special but also nerve racking, there was a good atmosphere because everyone was in the same boat.”
Cherry competed throughout her late teens and was also a member of Weston Junior Orchestra for three years with which she played piano on tour to Germany.
Cherry says she gained experience and confidence from competing in the arts festival and went on to study music at degree level at Cardiff University before getting a job in the music department of The University of Bristol.
Taking part took a lot of courage but Cherry believes the experience has carried her through and she is now a mother of three working as a homeopath.
Cherry said: “Classical music wasn’t considered very ‘cool’ at the time but my experiences gave me the confidence to get where I am today.”
Cherry still plays the piano when she gets the time and has performed in village concerts at her home in Devizes.
If you would like to share your memories, or have any photos of past festivals, send them to Junior Arts Festival, Weston & Somerset Mercury, 32 Waterloo Street, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 1LW or email newsdesk@thewestonmercury.co.uk
|
• 1977
• 1987
• 1987 
• 1967
• 1967
• 1977
• 1977
• 1977
• 1987 |