Schools to celebrate Folk Dance Festival

8 June 2015 · by · in Press releases

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)

  1. Coxley Primary
  2. Holway Park
  3. Walton Primary
  4. Haselbury Plucknett First
  5. Stoberry Park
  6. Merriott First
  7. Ashcott Primary
  8. Long Sutton Primary
  9. Catcott Primary
  10. Nunney First
  11. Wembdon St George’s Primary
  12. West Pennard Primary
  13. Castle Cary Primary
  14. Chewton Mendip Primary
  15. St Louis Primary
  16. St Mary Redcliffe Primary, Bristol
  17. Thurlbear Primary
  18. Eastover Primary
  19. Stogursey Primary
  20. St Cuthbert’s Infants
  21. Ilchester Community Primary
  22. Evercreech Primary
  23. Hamp Academy
  24. Creech St Michael Primary
  25. Mark First
  26. Kilmersdon Primary
  27. Kingston St Mary Primary
  28. Elmhurst Junior
  29. Churchstanton Primary
  30. Holy Trinity Primary, Yeovil
  31. Charlton Mackrell Primary
  32. Baltonsborough Primary
  33. North Petherton Primary
  34. Bishop Henderson Primary, Taunton
  35. St Margaret’s
  36. Bishops Lydeard Primary
  37. Wedmore First Academy
  38. Cannington Primary
  39. St Cuthberts Junior
  40. Wincanton Primary
  41. West Coker Primary
  42. Hindhayes Infant
  43. Bishop Henderson Primary, Coleford
  44. West Buckland Primary
  45. St Joseph and St Teresa
  46. Birchfield Primary
  47. St Andrew’s Junior, Burnham-on-Sea
  48. Ash Primary
  49. Hinton St George First
  50. East Brent First
  51. Christ Church First
  52. Blackbrook School
  53. Oaklands Primary
  54. Draycott and Rodney Stoke First
  55. King Ina Academy Infants
  56. Castle Primary
  57. Cheddon Fitzpaine
  58. High Ham Primary
  59. Burnham-on-Sea Infants
Tags: , , , ,