Big turnout for arts festival

The latter, a singing group of Year 8 pupils from host venue Astrea Academy Dearne in Goldthorpe were part of the packed programme of entertainment at the 2022 Dearne Community Arts Festival on Saturday.

Festival secretary Julie Turner said: “The day went really well, with our highest attendance yet at 461 in total.

“The feedback has been very positive, with people commenting on the wide range of activities on offer and the friendly atmosphere.

“We had 14 different workshops, demonstrations and activities for people to be involved in, including sand art, glass painting, hot wax painting, paper engineering, mosaic postcards, poppy making, henna design and flower painting.

“There were also 19 different exhibitors in the main hall, with eight of these showing or selling work for the first time.”

Performers also included Matthew Tiffany of Greentop Circus, Barnsley Youth Choir East Children's Choir and Clayton School of Dance.

Julie said it had been “brilliant” to see young people “performing with confident aplomb on stage and to see the creativity of local residents showcased at the festival”.

The event also showcased the result community project many Dearne Valley groups have taken part in — a Platinum Jubilee quilt produced by church groups, Brownies and Women’s Institute members among others, which will now be displayed at Thurnscoe Library.

Quilts by Goldthorpe Pentecostal Community Church and Lacewood Primary School were also shown.