ValeFest Testimonials
"We’ve attended 6 of the 8 Music at Your Local events over the summer; we enjoyed the first one so much we decided to come along to the others. We’ve also enjoyed visiting the different Vale pubs.
We like the music, especially as there’s been a variety of different genres. It’s live, and we prefer live music, and there’s been a good level of local talent.
A couple of the acts have been exceptional; we particularly liked John Montague and Identity Crisis. We hope they’ll be playing for ValeFest again next year."
Steve & Susie Warner, Hose, Vale of Belvoir
"I am very pleased that ValeFest is being held at this time when so many are apprehensive about the future. It is important that cultural events continue to take place to lift the spirit as well as provide local people with access to live music. I wish the initiative well and look forward to the summer programme."
Cllr Byron Rhodes, Harby, Melton Borough Councillor & Leicestershire County Councillor for Belvoir Division.
"There’s nothing to beat live music, whatever the style. And it’s nice to have a venue like a pub to have a drink or a meal and enjoy the entertainment at the same time, because the Vale is local to us in Grantham just as it’s local to Melton and to parts of Nottinghamshire.
There’s lots of local talent out there that we don’t get to hear about, so for us ValeFest has become a way of discovering some of that talent.
Very often music events seem to need to be known about before the public will actually go along. So the high numbers attending some of the Music at Your Local concerts have been surprising but very welcome."
Janet Thompson, Great Gonerby, Grantham
"Pubs
are at the centre of village communities so as a small village business
we support ValeFest's aim to bring the community together through music
and were pleased to hold a Winterval event at The Wheel Inn. The band
were excellent and the event drew a sizeable crowd, so we did good
business on a mid-week night. We'd welcome the opportunity to support
ValeFest by holding further events"
Sally &
Ben, Proprietors, The Wheel Inn at Branston
"What
a great
time
The Kinx had taking part in Winterval! We appreciated the opportunity
to play
at Melton Theatre and would be very willing to take part in other
ValeFest
events. Response has been terrific – we’ve received several
bookings as
a
result of our involvement!"
Chris White (Ray Davis), The Kinx
We've been to three Music at Your Local events
and found the music consistently good. The different pubs add to the
effect. We liked the atmosphere at the Lime Kiln at Cropwell Bishop the
best, I believe; some pubs lend themselves to the aims of the project
more than others. But we felt the advertising could be improved and
we'd like to see the series promoted out towards Nottingham in future
years.
I liked the idea and overall we'll be back to hear more next year!
Vivien & John Moore, Keyworth, Vale of Belvoir
"Wow!
The
drumming
workshops were amazing! The children were extremely enthusiastic and
those who
took part in the Hootenanny show were especially complimentary, both
about
taking part in the performance and watching others perform.
The feedback we
got from other people in the audience was of how good our pupils were -
this
was an immense confidence booster for all the children involved.
(Workshop and
performance) hit every area of the music curriculum together with the
social
and emotional development of the pupils. Thank you so much for all your
efforts."
Troy Jenkinson, Head Teacher,
"ValeFest
is a
great idea and I'm glad we got involved in the Winterval festival.
We thought The Manners Arms would be best suited to an acoustic session
held in
our bar and lounge area, partly due to the night we chose and also the
question
would we fill it?
Well, what can I say? - we had the busiest Thursday in months! We were
full
from 7.30 til close and a great night was had by all."
This is definitely something we'd do again and help to support the
ValeFest
vision.
Paul Hoad, Chef Manager, The
Manners Arms, Knipton
"Winterval
was
an
excellent opportunity for children and families to join in something
very
different. It was fun and gave people the chance to
express
themselves through art.
Everyone who
participated from Sherard thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and
we cannot
wait for ValeFest’s summer festival - whatever form it takes we
will be
there!"
Alison Wright, Head Teacher,
"The
Vale of Belvoir Festival of Live Music is actively bringing together
our rural communities. I am pleased to add my enthusiastic support to
this social enterprise project that is already well supported by local
people and local businesses.
As
the lead member
for Children and Young People at Melton Borough Council I
believe
the opportunities this will give to our young people are
brilliant. Recent comments from
As
a resident of the
area and a member of Melton Borough Council I am fully
supportive
of ValeFest and will certainly be attending their future events."
Cllr Pam Posnett, Ab Kettleby
& Melton
Borough Council
"I am happy to lend
my support and perform for ValeFest. ValeFest seeks to promote local
musicians
in the Vale of Belvoir and to work to enhance the local community. By
bringing
together and supporting local performers ValeFest promotes community
cohesion
which will have numerous benefits for the local population.
"
Jill O’Sullivan, Director, Principal Communications, Barrowby, Grantham
"ValeFest
provides
the opportunity to draw together communities from across the Vale of
Belvoir
area, providing a valuable community service, getting people together,
enabling
them to make new friends, learn new skills, exchange ideas and work
together,
sharing their creative talents.
In these days of
doom and gloom ValeFest’s activities provide a focal point for
young
and old
alike and are fast becoming an integral part of the community. I
strongly
support this project."
Frances Stapleton, Editor,
Framland Focus Deanery
Magazine, Bottesford
"Just what the
Vale
of Belvoir needs."
80-year-old
Vale of Belvoir resident
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