Highfield Fest 2014

Sunday 29th June was the 5th Family Fun Day to be held at Highfield Park in Prudhoe and each year it is fair to say that the ‘Fest’, as it is known locally, gets bigger and better.

This year the Fest saw live performances, in the morning from local dance group Energize, managed by Jill Newton and Nicola Oliver.  Jill and Nicola were delighted to be part of the day; Nicola said “the atmosphere was amazing and the event was very well organised”, Jill added “it was great that everything was free for families, and our dancers were thrilled with their thank you certificates and goody bags from the Town Council; we are asked to do a lot of community events and it makes a difference when the children are rewarded”.

The afternoon saw 2 live band performances; the first from Divine Crown, a relatively new band with members still in full time education and the 2nd from band Lyrical Whisky, who although have slightly older band members (college age), they are certainly not as old as some of the greats they played.  Both bands rocked Highfield Park from a trailer brought along by Tony Monnelly of RTH Lubbers; the open trailer gave the bands a fitting stage and wonderful outlook, and allowed spectators to see, as well as hear the musicians in all their glory.

The bands brought a new element to the Fest and who knows, this may grow into something quite spectacular, giving local bands the chance to play in true festival style.  Speaking on behalf of Divine Crown, Marcus Graham thanked the Town Council for asking the band to play and said “we would be very happy to play at more events, especially Highfield Fest”.  Josh Turnbull of Lyrical Whisky said “It was a great day with great music and great people”.

John Robson, aka Mr Disco Man, who is in a band himself, described the Fest as a great opportunity for the young bands to perform, John said “they are a great bunch of lads as well as being very accomplished musicians and I enjoyed helping them out, for which they were very grateful”.

As always the Fest provided families with free inflatable fun, including crazy golf and a rodeo bull this year, and as always Julie Charlton painted hundreds of faces and applied just as many glitter tattoos.  Prudhoe Scouts provided instruction in archery and had a steady stream of merry men, women, girls and boys all day; with 3 targets and a large open space for safety reasons, there was lots of skill on display but no splitting apples from people’s heads thank goodness.  Scout Leader Claire McDougle said “1st Prudhoe Scout Group leaders were thrilled to welcome so many adults and young people to have a go at archery and are very grateful to the Town Council for their ongoing support and commitment to the young people of Prudhoe”.

Although it was hoped that England’s World Cup dream would still be alive, the disappointment that it wasn’t didn’t stop Prudhoe Youth Football Club and North Country Leisure’s Football and Sports Centre from celebrating the great game, with youngsters taking part in a feast of football challenges.

Prudhoe Detachment Army Cadet Force was on hand to help with car-parking and on occasion disappeared from their recruitment tent into the grass, in full camouflage; fortunately the snake brought along by Kirkley Zoo was well supervised and didn’t disappear into the grass, Kirkley and their partners from Northumberland College were a welcome attraction to the event.

Biscuits and bubbles were on the menu courtesy of Adderlane First School governors Mrs Susan Snowdon and Mrs Judith Simpson.  Mrs Snowdon said “being part of a community event for families is really worthwhile and we have thoroughly enjoyed it”.

Cllr Mrs Eileen Burt, chair of Prudhoe Town Council, celebrated Highfield Fest; Mrs Burt said “the Fest was a very successful community day enjoyed by young people and families in Prudhoe; despite the unfortunate weather later on in the afternoon, people still enjoyed themselves”.

Many thanks to all involved:

• LIVE bands Lyrical Whisky and Divine Crown
• Small animals from Kirkley Hall
• Energize Dance Group
• Prudhoe and Ovingham Scouts with their 'Have-a-go Archery'
• Prudhoe Football Centre and Prudhoe Youth Football Club with World Cup inspired football challenges
• Northumberland College and their nail art

As well as the above we had a constant queue for face-painting and glitter tattoos by Julie Charlton; bouncy castles, millennium slide and inflatable obstacle course from NBK leisure; the amazing Prudhoe Army Cadet Force with their recruitment tent and exceptional marshalling skills.

We were very excited to host BAND FEST at Highfield Fest.  This was a first and those attending were rocked by local bands Lyrical Whisky and Divine Crown.

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS WERE KINDLY TAKEN AND PROVIDED BY COMMUNITY PHOTOGRAPHER, MRS MOIRA WOOLDRIDGE