WELLINGTON H2A CELEBRATES LOTTERY GRANT SUCCESS

Earlier this year, H2A was awarded a grant from the National Lottery’s Awards for All Scheme. The grant, worth just over £4,000, paid for this year’s Wellington Midsummer Fayre and a series of music and circus skills workshops in local primary schools.

Having organised the first Midsummer Fayre last year on a shoe string budget, the group wanted to repeat the event but with more substantial funds. After starting the year with an empty bank account, they knew that a grant from Awards for All was the only way to secure that extra money, ensure that the event would take place AND help extend its impact by taking performance artists into some of the town's schools.

Thanks to this financial boost, and the hard work of all those involved, the 2008 fayre was a great success, with more entertainment, more activities (centred around a circus skills and crafts marquee) and more historic costumes to really bring the event to life. The highlight of the day was the revival of a costumed 'Jubilee Procession' last recorded in the town in 1778!

Feedback from the event has been very positive, with audiences enjoying performances from Jack the Jester with his amazing fire show, the Newport Volunteers period soldiers and the Shrewsbury Morris Dancers.There was also music throughout the day from Odd Socks Folk Band, Wellington Brass Band, Shropshire Male Chorus and Wrekin View School Choir.

For more details about the fayre, its performers and its origins,