Dereham Festival finale

Dereham Festival went out with a tour de force of youth talent and a mighty Cleaving Heavage on its final night on Saturday.

The week-long event saw four sell-outs and many more popular performances, rounded off with 13 young bands playing their hearts out at Northgate School on Saturday.

And there were better performances than had been seen the year previously, according to organisers.

A marquee, a new addition to the festival this year, was not as popular as hoped but the popularity of the Cleaving Heavages group on Saturday night, a Ceilidh on Friday, the gala evening and a special production by Dereham Operatic Society more than made up for it.

Jim Stebbings, festival committee chairman, said they had been pleased to be able to offer a bit of something for everyone.

“On Saturday night there was a real party atmosphere with the Cleaving Heavages but we also had Sillars Light Orchestra on the same night.

“We are very pleased with it all; everyone seemed to appreciate what we had done.

“The 13 rock bands at Northgate School were all very good and the quality of the performers was, overall, very high and higher than last year.”

His own highlight was the parade through the town launching the event and he said it would be nice if a larger parade or carnival could be organised next year, but that it would need someone to come forward and organise it.

He said attendances were as good as anticipated and four shows had sold out.

The whole event is organised by a group of volunteers and they would welcome anyone to join them to help organise any part of next year's event.

“We need more support and help from all kinds of people and organisations around the town but we do appreciate those who have already helped us,” he said.