Millennium Festival Week Has Everything

Those who attended the many and varied events during the week-long Festival expressed their delight and thanks to those who had put in such efforts to provide something for everyone. It would be true to state that some events were better supported than others. However, those who made the effort were well rewarded. It was the smiles on their faces that made the organising all worthwhile.

The Festivities started officially with the opening by Rosemary Conley, of the St Bartholomew's School Annual Fete. The usually large crowd of parents, children and families, as well as many friends, enjoyed the afternoon's activities. A full and varied programme ensured something for everyone. The white elephant stall even had a kitchen sink, and someone bought it!

On the first evening, villagers were treated to a concert, held at Rawlins, performed by the Carlton Male Voice Choir and the Rawlins Jazz Band. Our own Reverend Howard Ketton, an honorary member of the Choir persuaded his old chums to come and sing their hearts out. A small but enthusiastic audience did not need asking twice to join in and raise the roof. The Jazz Band, a group of enthusiastic young musicians from Rawlins under the baton of Ted Wragg, thrilled the audience with some excellent renditions of jazz standards. They received a standing ovation at the end of what, had been a very full day for the youngsters, having already performed during the afternoon at the fete.

Sunday started quietly. With all the efforts of running a successful fete the day before, no-one was in a rush to. take on more. But come the evening, The Cross was transformed into an outdoor Italian restaurant with Gino, cooking the food, and Joan Bloodworth, as waitress extraordinaire. This provided a superb al fresco dining experience with a small band serenading the guests.

For the football fanatics amongst us, Jonathan Gaunt organised a penalty shoot out on the Stafford Orchard on the Monday evening.
This was followed the same evening by a Treasure Hunt, for those who felt they need to know more about our village, organised by the 2nd Quorn Scouts, and masterminded by Mike Sedgewick. Those who managed to trace their way to the finish found a welcoming barbecue to help restore much sapped energy levels.

Tuesday was for the active set. A keep fit programme .was organised by Kathy Gay and her 'Steptoes' team in the car park of the White Horse. Kathy and her team demonstrated some very energetic routines. Much interest was shown in the display and some passers-by could not resist joining in for a short exercise.

Wednesday morning was definitely for the very young. The Stafford Orchard was the scene for a Picnic in the Park for the children attending the playgroups in the village. All the groups assembled, played games and sat down for their picnic. Even though the weather was not ideal for a picnic the children thoroughly enjoyed the outdoor treat.

In the evening, the car park of the White Horse was transformed from the gym of the night before into a dance hall. Michael and Diane Bird brought along the demonstration team of the Quorn Folk Dance Society who performed a programme of mainly traditional English dance. This contrasted with the American influenced, VC Line Dancing Team led by Val. The star of the latter show was a 14 year old named 'Alfie' who performed a stunning solo showing Line Dancing is fun for all ages.

Thursday afternoon saw the return to the village, after many years, of the Tea Dance. Unfortunately, the wonderful efforts of Joan Bloodworth & Jane Turner to transform the newly refurbished Village Hall into a palm court of yesteryear were only witnessed by a handful of folk who skipped the light fantastic to the relaxed strains of Victor Sylvester etc. The few who did attend thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Within an hour of the Tea Dance drawing to a close, the Village Hall was transformed from Palm Court to the flashing lights of the 21st century when the disco came to town (well the village anyway!). Two 15 year olds, Sarah Curtis & Sarah Vanlint, with help from their friends and families organised a Mega disco for all the younger children of the village. Sickly sweets and loud music was the order of the day as around 150 children made the most of their good time.

The same evening saw the brains of Quorn challenging each other for the title of Millennium Festival Pub Quiz Champions. The Quiz, designed by Geoff Locke & Phil Child, was meant to test the knowledge of all the pubs and clubs in Quorn. In the event, only the stalwarts from the Apple Tree and the White Hart ventured to enter teams. Undeterred, the two teams answered questions on Quorn, the last millennium, sport and general knowledge. The local knowledge of the Apple Tree team saw them through as Champions.

The early part of Friday evening saw the curtain go up on our own Phoenix Players production of Millennium Moments at the Church Room.

Later that evening some hardy souls ventured out in the darkness to look for some of the six species of bats that the village is home to. The final two days of Festival Week saw annual Open Gardens and a spectacular Flower Festival in St Bartholomew's Church. Despite the weather these events drew the memorable Festival Week towards its conclusion.

The final event of the Festival Week should have been an Open Air Service at the War Memorial, but with the garden under water from a freak thunderstorm, this was quickly transferred to the Baptist Church. Undaunted though, a rousing service was held to close the Festival Week.

It was disappointing to see some events not better supported by folk from the village. But, as so many of those that did make the effort have shown their thanks and clearly enjoyed themselves, the conclusion we must all draw is that those who failed to take part are the losers.