Introduction To The 2007 Festival

It is a great privilege to be asked to write the introduction to the Chiddingly Festival programme as I understand my predecessors have done in the past. The Festival is a wonderful part of village life and the school has benefited from its involvement. When I began as head teacher at the primary school in September 2002, it was a lovely surprise to learn that there was a Festival event that took place in the school hall on a Friday afternoon. The Festival provides the children with opportunities to see and hear music and dance from around the world (and for us all to join in – staff included!).

Over the past 5 years we have been lucky enough to be entertained by Alma Flamenco, The Subitango Dance Troupe, The Bisserov Sisters (Bulgarian song and dance), Grand Union Band with their music of Africa, the Caribbean and South America and Rukhsar featuring Anuradha which allowed us to learn about storytelling through Kathak dancing. Last year the children learnt about how powerfully a story can be told through actions and it was lovely to see them making the shapes of birds and flowers as they danced along with the story.