Beaminster Festival one to remember - and there's still an event ahead

There is just one festival event left for this weekend - a vintage tea dance at Beaminster Hall on Sunday afternoon from 2.30pm to 5pm.

Two family friendly events bookended the week, both free.

Scoot, a favourite local band, soon got Party in the Park rocking and more than 1,000 people, mostly young families, relaxed in the sun.

Another 600 enjoyed a sunny afternoon in the manor gardens with children’s shows, games and workshops, together with jazz band, the youth club band and flash dance.

Almost 50 children attended the concerts of Emma Johnson and the Ferio Saxophone Quartet and Ferio delivered school concerts to all the local primary schools and Year 8 of Beaminster School. There were some cracking performances in the pre-coffee concerts by Mountjoy Handbell Team, Perrott Hill, St Mary’s Academy and Beaminster School and several steel pans workshops were given.

The seniors had some great entertainment and dementia patients sparked into life singing their favourite songs.

The main core of the festival was filled with top quality concerts with two young pianists, Eric Lu and Lauren Zhang showing off their virtuosity to 30 young children gathered on stage around the piano.

Emma Johnson’s jazz trio was popular and Mark Padmore, tenor, performed. At the end of the week the Marmen String Quartet and the 12 ensemble both demonstrated a range of dynamics, tone colour and high drama.

For those who liked to boogie, pianist Ben Waters performed. With a visual arts exhibition, a comedy club, fringe events and a tea Dance still to come on 7th July, and Beaminster Festival really has had something for everyone.

Artistic director Lois Pearson said: "The committee and team of volunteers are thrilled that so many locals and visitors of all ages participated in a wonderful week of music and the arts."

*Vintage Tea Dance, Beaminster Public Hall, Beaminster, Sunday, July 7, 2.30pm to 5pm. Tickets cost £6. See beaminsterfestival.com