More than 1,000 primary school children will be celebrating the annual Folk Dance Festival on Wells Cathedral Green this weekend.
Now in its 41st year, the Somerset Schools’ Folk Dance Festival is being held on Saturday 13 June and has 59 schools participating.
The colourful, musical event will run from 2.30pm to 4.30pm giving local mayors, council leaders and chairmen from across the county the chance to meet up and join in the revelry.
David Hayward, Executive and Liaison Officer for the Somerset Association of Primary Headteachers and Officers (SAPHTO), which organises the event, said: “As always, the Folk Dance Festival is a major date in the annual calendar of the County Council and is a great example of all that is best about Somerset’s Primary Schools.
“When it all comes together, and we see the joy and excitement on all the children’s faces when they are dancing, and witness the pride of all the parents and families watching, it makes it all so worthwhile.
“We are extremely grateful for all the time and effort so many people put in to make this event happen every year, especially the Globe Carnival Club. And a big thank you to our sponsors Milsted Langdon Financial Planning.”
Cllr Frances Nicholson, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said: “This is such a wonderful annual event which I know has been enjoyed by children and their families for a number of years.
“The dances make quite a spectacle and I hope everyone either taking part or watching has a lovely day.”
Pupils will be dressed in their specially-designed costumes and each school will be represented by its own banner. Accompanied by the Mayor of Wells and Mace Bearers, the Town Crier, teachers and helpers, the folk dancers’ procession will start at St Cuthbert’s Church at 2pm, proceed up Wells High Street, entering the Green through Browne’s Gate and on to the dancing arena to their designated place.
List of schools attending (and position number)
- Coxley Primary
- Holway Park
- Walton Primary
- Haselbury Plucknett First
- Stoberry Park
- Merriott First
- Ashcott Primary
- Long Sutton Primary
- Catcott Primary
- Nunney First
- Wembdon St George’s Primary
- West Pennard Primary
- Castle Cary Primary
- Chewton Mendip Primary
- St Louis Primary
- St Mary Redcliffe Primary, Bristol
- Thurlbear Primary
- Eastover Primary
- Stogursey Primary
- St Cuthbert’s Infants
- Ilchester Community Primary
- Evercreech Primary
- Hamp Academy
- Creech St Michael Primary
- Mark First
- Kilmersdon Primary
- Kingston St Mary Primary
- Elmhurst Junior
- Churchstanton Primary
- Holy Trinity Primary, Yeovil
- Charlton Mackrell Primary
- Baltonsborough Primary
- North Petherton Primary
- Bishop Henderson Primary, Taunton
- St Margaret’s
- Bishops Lydeard Primary
- Wedmore First Academy
- Cannington Primary
- St Cuthberts Junior
- Wincanton Primary
- West Coker Primary
- Hindhayes Infant
- Bishop Henderson Primary, Coleford
- West Buckland Primary
- St Joseph and St Teresa
- Birchfield Primary
- St Andrew’s Junior, Burnham-on-Sea
- Ash Primary
- Hinton St George First
- East Brent First
- Christ Church First
- Blackbrook School
- Oaklands Primary
- Draycott and Rodney Stoke First
- King Ina Academy Infants
- Castle Primary
- Cheddon Fitzpaine
- High Ham Primary
- Burnham-on-Sea Infants