STUNNING sunshine greeted visitors to the sixth annual Callington Mayfest, held on Saturday, May 19.
Over 300 performers came together to entertain the crowds during 45 individual performances, using various venues around the town such as two specially erected stages, the churches and even inside the Co-op supermarket.
Crowds enjoyed a diverse range of craft stalls as well as the 45 performances by individual local groups and visiting bands. Altogether some 300 people came together to perform on Saturday.
As always a major highlight was the parade of giants, representing Callington Primary School, Callington College, Delaware School, local charity Battling-on, Callington May Space Youth Project, Callington Methodist Church.
They were joined by town criers from the area, traditional Breton folk dancers, Lodestone Border Morris dancers and Plymouth Maids clog dancers, Flamenco Dancers, Callo Blocko (Callington’s Samba band), Mayfest singers and players.
Another highlight was the presentation of the Callington Chronicles, a work written and performed by renowned Cornish actress Katie Kirk, who for this project worked with Harper’s Teleynore, Callington Choir Canticorum, and the mayfester singers and players lead by Paul Wilson and Hilary Coleman.
The afternoon saw rollicking performances by folk rock band Captain’s Beard on tour from Kent, and The Countrymen, Launceston’s answer to Fisherman’s Friends.
Callington Community Arts headed by Rick Lumley and festival director Pete Watson has extended thanks to all the participating schools and organisations that made the event a fabulous day for all.
Rosie Fierek, musical director, said the crowds enjoyed a tremendous variety of music, in particular the combination of Merceedes Romero and her flamenco group when dancing along with rhythms of Callington Samba Band Callo Blocko under director Tom Attwell.
Thanks were expressed to the funders The Arts Council and Lottery, FEAST and Tesco bags of help. Organisers look forward to bringing more surprises and enjoyment to the streets of Callington next year.
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