Organisers of the three-day festival said ticket sales and entries were up this year and they were enthused by the level of recognition the festival attracted.

Mike Hoskins, publicity officer for the festival said today: "Entries from orchestras and bands were well up, which necessitated the booking of an extra adjudicator and sessions".

According to Shirley Burchell, festival secretary, one of the country's top adjudicators, Andrew Padmore, contacted organisers himself as he enjoyed his previous visit to the event so much, he wanted to take part once again.

Mrs Burchell said ticket sales were higher than last year, with more than 1,000 people attending to watch the performers. In addition, there were more performers, with 700 entries from more than 1,000 performers.

Mrs Burchell said the event was "happy, with no disagreements". She said. "It also ran to time, with no delays," she added.

The standard of entries has improved, according to the organisers, in some areas from previous years, but has dropped in others.

A total of six distinctions were given out, which Mrs Burchell said "are not easily earned".

Such is the prestige now being attracted to the event, Tanwen Richardson a teacher from John Mansfield school in Dogsthorpe, Peterborough, gave up the Easter break to ensure that students got to the event.
And Janet Davies, a teacher from Oakdale school in Stanground, Peterborough, did the same.

The festival, held at Oundle School, in Oundle, near Peterborough, ended with a two-hour Grand Concert in which many of the winners played for public spectators.

Although the year running up to the festival has been busy and organisers are now winding up the paperwork, preparations have already begun for next year's festival as everything needs to be in place by September so schools taking part can plan ahead.


OUNDLE FESTIVAL WINNERS

Speech and Drama Winners

Junior Section

The Evans Cup (group acting) – John Mansfield School, Peterborough

The Mrs S A McAdam Cup (choral speaking) – Stanion Primary School

Senior Section

The Norah Ball Cup (Bible reading) – Diana Awdry, Oundle.

The Salisbury Cup (verse speaking) – Louisa Brayton, Sudborough.

The Warwick Cup (choral speaking) – 'Anthology', Oundle.

The Daniel Cup (solo acting) – Louisa Brayton, Sudborough.

Oundle Town Council Prizes – Charlotte Curtis, Corby; Georgina Yeo, Stanion; Christopher Bailey, Stanion; Andrew Granville, Peterborough; Kalya Wilson, Weldon.

The Christopher Awdry Prize (junior acting) – Lorenzo and Mario Monteforte, Peterborough.

Music Winners

Junior Section

The Aaron Academy Cup (recorder solo) – Francesca Galasso, Stanground

The Joyce A Mason Cup (recorder solo) – Alice Healey, Aldwincle

The A W Rollett Memorial Cup (recorder solo) – Freyja Davis, Brigstock

The Lady Brassey Prize (recorder duet) – Alexander Murison, Stanion; Chloe Knight,

The Gilks Cup (recorder ensemble) – Meadowside Junior Trio, Burton Latimer

The Whiteman Cup (piano solo) – Chantelle Castro-Young, Corby

HRH Duchess of Gloucester's Prize (piano solo) – Emily Smith, Werrington

Oundle Middle School Cup (orchestra/band – under 14 yrs) – Oundle and Kings Cliffe Middle School

The Sidney McAdam Cup (orchestra/band – under 19 yrs) John Cleveland College, Hinckley

The Mason Cup (instrumental ensemble) – The Finch Flute Ensemble, Kettering

The Gleemen Cup (choirs under 9yrs) – Oundle Primary School

The Brudenell Cup (choirs under 11) – Weldon Primary School

The Lady Margaret Proby Shield I (choirs 9-13 yrs) – Oundle and Kings Cliffe Middle School

The Mrs George Brudenell Cup II (choirs open) – John Cleveland College, Hinckley

The Sir Richard Proby Cup (group music) – Meadowside Junior School, Burton Latimer

The Maddison Cup (solo song) – Nicole Smith and Francesca Denny, Kettering

The Janet Mary McMichael Cup (solo song) – Leonora Creamer and Jenny Chernick, Kettering

Mrs George Brudenell Picture (most artistic performance-choral piece) – Oundle and Kings Cliffe Middle School

Senior Section

The Gladys Riseley Cup (solo or duet under 19yrs) – Sally Peerless, Kettering

The Marjorie McAdam Cup (solo song) – Glenys Page, Market Deeping

Oundle Gilbert and Sullivan Players Cup – Audrey Hurst, Leicester

The Meg Bates Cup (folk song) – no competition

The Rev E F Lake Shield (vocal ensemble) – 'Gladrags', Peterborough and Bedford

The Lady Violet Brassey Cup (choirs, ladies part songs) – 'Cantatrici', Peterborough

The Ray Sharpe Cup (choirs men's part songs) – 'Vocal Academy', Sawtry

The Classic Harmony Shield (barbershop) – 'Vocal Academy', Sawtry

The Lady Proby Memorial Cup (SATB) – 'Spectrum', Kettering

The Sir Richard Proby Cup (choirs show songs) – 'Cantatrici', Peterborough

The Lady Ethel Wickham Cup (village choirs) – no competition

The Lady Culme-Seymour Cup (choirs, women) – 'Friends' of Warmington School

The Westminster Cup (instrumental ensemble) – John Cleveland College, Hinckley

The Salsbury Cup (handbells) – Castor and Ailsworth Handbells

Weekley and Warkton Choral Society Cup (most artistic performance of a choral piece) – 'Cantatrici', Peterborough

The Prabhu Singh Memorial Prizes (piano) – Emily Branson, Wittering; Finnley Hughes, Peterborough

The Festival Prize (String ensemble) – Prince William School String Group