Despite boasting shows from a number of celebrity names Fowey Festival officially launched with a performance from those who know the town best.
On Wednesday, May 8, the all-new Fowey Festival of Words and Music became a reality. The ground work was laid, the performers poised, and excitement sparked the air as students from Fowey Community College joined forces with primary pupils from Fowey, Lostwithiel and Polruan to bring on the new dawn for the former du Maurier Festival.
Upon the stage of the main festival marquee and under the theme of the poetry of celebrated Cornish writer, Charles Causley, students, ranging in age from Years 4 to 10, wowed the audience with a series of interpretations for the stage incorporating all that drama and music can muster.
Nicky Giles, head of expressive arts at Fowey Community College, said: "The students have really enjoyed working on different aspects of Causley's poetry and working alongside different schools.
"They have combined music, drama, dance, video and poetry together in a performance which mirrors the varied tone and pace of Causley's poetry. It's fantastic to have such great raw material to work with."
The School's concert marked the opening day of the newly branded Fowey Festival and the beginning of ten days of immense variety.
Big names such as Ken Livingstone and Monty Halls will be discussing topics close to their hearts, music from folk to opera to jazz will be filling the air, there's comedy, adventure, walks, talks and everything in-between as Fowey plays host to one of its main calendar events.
And that opening spot on the opening night will be something the children of the local school's will probably never forget.
Fowey Community College student, Katie Minter, 13, said: "It felt great to be part of something good, we became like a big family with all the schools.
"We were able to put our own spin on the performances, so the choir got to do harmonies instead of all singing the same note. The primary school pupils did the same and helped us develop the whole show."
