Formby Arts Festival 2002

Photographs by Patrick Trollope.

The Formby Arts festival was a fantastic success that had every one again asking for more. The committee is now looking at doing yet another one in year's time, keeping the festival bi annual. The festival opened up in Formby village on Saturday the 6th with a colorful medieval Fayre with knights, maidens and horses, children with hobby horses, Southport Ladies Football club (well not that medieval on that part) it even had the Chairman David Davies dressed in his character of Treacherous Thomas. Southport Little Theatre and Sefton Theatre Company lent the costumes for the parade and some of the shows preformed in the Pinewoods Theatre. On Lifeboat Road activities field on the Saturday the "Knights in Battle" relived the Medieval Times in tents and with their costumes and weaponry. "Escafeld" battled it out and organized interactive learning experiences for the children who had come to watch. In the pinewood theatre, the local thespians took Shakespeare's Henry the V Part 1 to give the start of the theatres weeklong life a sense of class. Followed by Formby High School. In the evening, the Swing Shift Big Band played on into the night with the sounds of jazz reverberating in the cool night air…. On Sunday the 7th, the Field was set for yet more fighting by "Escafeld" and more medieval fashion and lifestyle tips from "Knights in Battle." Then in the evening after the pinewoods theatre was the fantastic sound of Sefton Youth Jazz Orchestra (SYJO) and followed by the even more impressive and world famous Humphrey Lyttelton and his band who played will into the star lit night. On Monday, again the outdoor theatre was in use even though the Activities field was no longer in use, with Formby High Schools starting the weeks School Maternay performances which sore Redgate Primary, School Holy Family High School, Range High School, Ainsdale High School, St Peters Primary School, Birkdale High School, Chester Field High School and St Gregory's Primary School performing through out the week, each with their own 30min slot. The afternoon performances ended on Friday. In the evenings From Monday through to the following Saturday's closing night has all types of acts performed. Figger Two warmed up the night on Monday and Reckless took over, danced, and sang well into the night. You can listen to and see the shots of that night by clicking here… Tuesday was Folk night, the only night that rain hit, but that never dampened the spirits of the audience, with some who could not get tickets lessening on the surrounding dunes! Wednesday sore a very technically fantastic group of young musicians from the Royal Northern Collage of music with their Longdale Wind Ensemble. On Thursday, Sefton Youth Brass Band Took to the stage with youngsters from schools all over Sefton. Friday had the touch of the classics with Operatic sung by the highly talented Southport Hoghton Players, who did Gilbert and Sullivan's famous "Pirates of Penzance". Then it was all off to Formby Hall on Saturday during the afternoon, as thanks to the owner Mr McComb. The atmosphere at the Formby hall as fantastic with sunny all day and a warm wind and the back drop of the newly restored gardens and manor house. Not to mention Strawberries and Cream, wine, stalls music and again another chance to see Shakespeare's Henry 1V Part 1. 

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