AN actor and director who has starred on the stage and the screen has hailed the work of Winsford youngsters.
The Festival of Hope took place last August and September and was curated by a group of 14- and 15-year-old 'young producers' from the town.
It was nominated for Best Arts Project in the Hearts for the Arts 2021 Awards, run by the National Campaign for the Arts.
Three of the young producers from the Festival of Hope
Although it was pipped to the top spot, judges including actor Samuel West – who has starred in shows such as All Creatures Great and Small – were full of praise for the youngsters' work.
Samuel, who is chairman for the National Campaign for the Arts, said: "What I love so much about this project is the title, which unites two great ideas, festivity and hope.
"The festival going online only seems to have pushed creativity further.
Samuel West. Image: Vince Maher
“No surprise when young people are so tech-savvy. There is no substitute for creativity.
"To make something like this and afterwards look round and say, ‘how did we do that?', shows young people that they matter, that they are greater than the sum of their parts, that making something that didn't exist before gives them power and agency.’’
The festival included short films and displays at Cinewindow, in Winsford Cross, while artist Neil Keating joined the team to paint the subway in High Street.
One of the Festival of Hope displays
Cheshire West was one of five boroughs chosen to take part in the Festival of Hope – along with Bolton, Carlisle, Lancashire and Sefton – showcasing more than 40 events in total.
Other judges for the awards were comedian, writer and actress Francesca Martinez, drag artiste and cabaret performer Le Gateau Chocolat, Orbital musician Paul Hartnoll, actor and director Adrian Lester CBE, journalist Mariella Frostrup, physicist and oceanographer Helen Czerski, and Petra Roberts, cultural development manager at Hackney Council.
Louise Gittins, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: "It is wonderful that the hard work and creativity of young people in our region has been recognised by such a distinguished panel.
The subway was painted as part of the festival
"I hope the judges generous and inspiring comments will encourage the young people to continue being involved in this innovative programme which is significantly adding to our museums public offer and helping to raise their profile."
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Exhibitions from the Festival of Hope in Winsford are still available to view online here.
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