Success for Telford & Wrekin CultureFest 2011
Organisers say this year’s CultureFest in Telford Town Park has been the busiest and biggest ever with thousands flocking to this family event.
Almost 5000 people enjoyed an afternoon of sunshine and jam packed programme of music, dance, sport and the creative arts.
Now in its fourth year, CultureFest 2011 sponsored by RICOH UK Products Ltd, attracted residents of all ages who joined in a host of activities including zumba dance sessions, cheerleading, traditional sports day races and samba drumming workshops.
The Mayor for the Borough of Telford and Wrekin, Cllr Malcolm Smith and Olympic Gold Medallist, Debbie Brennan Johnson opened the event - which started with the ‘Be More Active’ fun run at 11am. Almost 350 children and adults joined in the fun run.
Festival goers enjoyed a range of activities with people of all ages joining in cheerleading sessions, tobogganing, trampolining, go kart racing, dance workshops, arts and crafts and samba drumming workshops.
Others had a go at making musical instruments out of household rubbish with special Junk 4 Funk workshops.
Cllr Arnold England, cabinet member for Leisure and Wellbeing, said: “CultureFest 2011 has been a great success with the largest turnout yet for this popular family event.
“It is a credit to the event organisers and all those who took part that CultureFest has been so popular and it demonstrates the capacity of Telford Town Park to host large scale events.
“I’d like to thank everyone that took part and for the support of RICOH UK Products for their support.
“We are keen to build on the success of this year’s event and are encouraging visitors to post their comments about the festival on the online questionnaire that we have created on the event website that includes a free prize draw.”
Visitors also enjoyed live music with cover band Plastic Pantomine and the winner of Telford Talent 2009 and Abraham Darby pupil, 15 year old vocalist Daniel Crossley taking centre stage.
Telford’s Community Choir also performed a selection of well known songs from musicals, The Beatles and Leona Lewis. BBC Radio Shropshire presenter Eric Smith hosted the stage performances.
Other event highlights included interactive ‘Popblast’ dance sessions, along with street dance performances from dance group, Little Vibz.
Chinese and Indian dancers wowed the crowd whilst young disabled and non disabled dancers took centre stage with the Envision Youth Dance group (directed by the Blue Eyed Soul Dance Company).
National charity Oxfam were also on site collecting charity for the East Africa Crisis.
Visitors are encouraged to visit the Culturefest website, www.telford.gov.uk/culturefest, to answer a short questionnaire about the event.
People who enter will be entered into a free prize draw to win £100 in high street vouchers. (Terms and conditions apply and council employees and members will not be entered.)
