VIDEO: THE annual Stockton Heath Festival has been hailed a scorcher of a success by organisers after attracting record records.
The annual event in and around Stockton Heath village, which celebrates art and culture, was blessed with scorching weather and attracted record crowds to events including tribute acts in the Festival Marquee, such as Viva la Coldplay and David Live (the Best of Bowie) which closed the Festival.
David Craggs, the Festival Director said: “The 2018 Festival will go down as the biggest yet as throughout the weekend there were capacity crowds with several events selling out well before the Festival weekend.
He added: I am proud, with invaluable help from our Committee, to have been involved in growing the Festival over recent years and as this is my final year as Director I feel I am stepping down on a high. I’m very confident the Festival is in great shape to hand over to someone else who will bring their own fresh ideas.’
Highlights of the eclectic Festival included Phil Shotton’s swing band featuring Chris James, art demonstrations, Mini Professors, Diddi Dance, a history talk about Warrington soldiers in World War 1, and Illyria performing Shakespeare in an open-air theatre at Grappenhall Walled Gardens. The annual Art exhibition in St Thomas’ church was inspirational showcasing the talents of our local amateur artists.
While the Saturday afternoon saw the Festival competing with the England v Sweden World Cup football match, the crowds returned in the evening to celebrate on the Festival Field with local bands the Ambersons and Joe Hatton.
The organisers are delighted to have raised in excess of £1,850 for The Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace during the Comedy Night at the Slug and Lettuce and £415 for The River Reeves Foundation.
The event organisers would like to thank all sponsors, volunteers and performers as without them there would be no Festival to enjoy year on year. Particular thanks to all the businesses and people who donated prizes for auction and raffles.
After a short break planning the 2019 Festival will begin in earnest.
To review the festival visit www.stocktonheathfestival.co.uk
If you would like to be involved in next year’s Festival as a volunteer contact [email protected]
Any general comments to [email protected]
