Wensleydale Tournament of Song and Speech hailed a success

The event has come a long way since it was established in 1898, and is one of the oldest in the country. The third tournament, in 1900, comprised only ten music classes and took place on one day.

The 2023 adjudicator for the speech classes was Colin Snell, whose expertise and good advice was warmly received. As always, the pieces performed in the adult classes were varied and entertaining, showing the huge talent in this area. There was one newcomer, Andrea Widdison, and her witty own composition poems were enjoyed.

There were fewer schools taking part than usual, however Leyburn Primary School, Middleham and Spennithorne Federation, BAWB Federation, Aysgarth School and Mowbray School were well represented, and all the children performed beautifully.

Organisers gave a special thank you to the reception children from Aysgarth School who, after an initial attack of nerves, confidently recited their poems. All the children knew their pieces by heart, which was very impressive.

Music adjudicator, Christina Thomson made a welcome return and was very happy to attend, having performed for many years in the tournament, first at the age of six when it was held in Leyburn Town Hall.

Lili Bako winning the Mrs Willan Challenge Cup

There were some beautiful solo performances on Thursday, March 23. In the junior piano classes many of the children were beginners or novices, and organisers said they were very grateful to them all for sharing their music. Special thanks went their teacher, Debbie Allenby, for bringing them all on so well.

In the adult music classes, there were some fine vocal performances, while Barry Hughes was welcomed back with his melodeon.

Three school orchestras performed for the first time, from Ravensworth School, East Cowton School and Kirkby Fleetham School, and first-time competitors, Teesdale School Choir and Carlton Miniott School Choir, also took part.

The oldest entrant, Ken Dalton, winning the Dr and Mrs Adamson Trophy

A spokesperson for the tournament said: "Our heartfelt thanks go to the teachers of all the children, whose tireless work has certainly paid off.

"Mowbray School, as usual, surpassed themselves with a medley from “Hoodwinked”, and a special mention must be made of Finley Hugill, who was dressed as Robin Hood and who gave a beautiful solo.

"Our final evening at the Garden Rooms, Tennants was well attended, and our largest choir to date, Knot Another Choir, made their debut at the festival and gave some very powerful performances, jointly winning the Lady Wilson Todd Cup along with the Dales Community Pop Choir. We also saw the return of the Marske Choir, who finished off the evening singing, along with the audience, ‘Funiculi Funicula’.

Colin Snell and Jessica Asher, with the H.A.O.S. John Cockett Memorial Trophy

"Finally, thanks must go to everyone who has worked so hard to make this tournament possible. To the council members and volunteers, the teachers and conductors, as well as all the performers, their accompanists, and of course the audience.

"We would also like to thank Tradewinds for producing the syllabus and programme, Andy’s of Leyburn for providing such a wonderful lunch for the volunteers, and to Hewson’s for stocking both the syllabus and programme."

Trophy and award winners for 2023

Speech

Adult speech

The Joan Cairns Memorial Cup for Class 109, Humorous Verse: Andrea Widdison

The Swaledale Cup for the highest mark in Speech Classes: Val Nelson and Rosi Keatinge

Junior speech

The Mary Gore and Fred Clarkson Book Tokens for Class 5, Poem Year 4: Lily Dalton and Otis Middleton, BAWB Federation

The Dorothy Wilmott Award for Class 4, Poem Year 3: Lottie Dinsdale and Ruaridh Pargeter of Aysgarth School

The H.A.O.S. John Cockett Memorial Trophy for Class 7, Poem Year 6: Jessica Asher

The Yeoman Cup for Choral Speaking Years 5 & 6: BAWB Federation

The Miss Ruth Harrison Challenge Cup for Sight Reading classes: Eliza Middleton, BAWB Federation

Gervase Phinn Poetry book for Class 89: Jessica Asher.

The Sue Williamson Trophy for Class 56, Poem Own Composition: Jessica Asher

The Margery Freeman Memorial Bursaries were awarded, at the adjudicator’s recommendation, to BAWB Federation and Mowbray School.

Adult music classes

The Lucien Orde-Powlett Cup, for the highest mark in Senior Solo Music Classes: Liz Byrne

The Yeoman Rose Bowl, for Light Operatic Solo Voice: Liz Byrne

The Dr and Mrs Adamson Trophy, for Men's Solo Voice: Ken Dalton.

The Lady Wilson Todd Cup, for the choir gaining the highest mark: Knot Another Choir and the Dales Community Pop Choir

The Thwaites Award, for the most promising choir at the adjudicator’s recommendation, was given to the Dales Community Pop Choir.

The President’s Plate, awarded by Val Nelson: Teesdale School Choir

Junior music classes

The Wendy Thompson Challenge Cup, for Piano Solo 14 years & under: Christina Fagg-Rawlence

The Topham Silver Challenge Cup for Class 203, Action Song: Years 4-6, BAWB Federation

The Richmond Plate for Class 200, Unison Song: Carlton Miniott School Choir

The Margery Burrill Challenge Cup for Classes, 200-202: Spennithorne & Middleham Federation

The Dales Trophy for Class 204, Choral Singing: Carlton Miniott School Choir

The Madge Stephenson Memorial Challenge Cup for Classes 213 & 214, Traditional Folk Song: Teesdale School Choir

The Miss Kathleen Sayer Challenge Cup, for an under 12 gaining the highest mark in any one music class: Christina Fagg-Rawlence

The Mrs Willan Challenge Cup, for 12 years and over gaining the highest mark in any one music class: Lili Bako

The Margery Freeman bursaries, at the adjudicator’s recommendation, were awarded to Lili Bako and Spennithorne & Middleham Federation.

The Mary Gore and Fred Clarkson Memorial Bursary for the most promising school choir was awarded, at the adjudicator’s recommendation, to Carlton Miniott School Choir.