Outreach & Protegées
How Wedmore Festival Funding Supports Local Young People
Alongside hosting high-quality cultural events like the Wells Cathedral School Soloist Showcase, Wedmore Festival continues to invest in creative and educational opportunities for children across Wedmore Parish. Examples of recent projects which highlight the impact of this support:
Signed copies of Lemn Sissay’s children’s books were presented to the First Schools in the Wessex Learning Trust including Wedmore, Mark and Axbridge. A copy of Lemn Sissay’s “Let the Light Shine in” was also presented to Hugh Sexeys Middle School.
- Wedmore First School – Resilience Project led by Senior Lecturer Joanna Spicer, children created air‑dry clay characters which became cardboard puppets exploring aspects of their identity. The project supported pupils preparing for their transition to Year 5, helping them express themselves through art.
- Academy of Barmy Composers (ABC) – Opera Workshops by Professional baritone Llewelyn Evans who held creative sessions introducing children to great composers and inspiring them to perform in a final production. The festival’s support enabled enrichment activities that broaden pupils’ musical horizons. Copies of ABC books purchased for schools.
- Murmuration Outreach Projects –
- A collaboration with Innes Oliver and local illustrator Jo Spicer who put together fabulous interactive workshops for children in Wedmore First School & Nursery and Mark First & Pre-school CE Academy to explore movement and mark-making in art. A wonderful display has been made, and you can see this exhibited in Wedmore Village Hall.
- A collaboration with Hugh Sexeys School Art Club produced inspirational artwork for the Wedmore Festival Art Exhibition. Created by students of all ages working together and composed of a wonderful sunset over Glastonbury Tor with 100s of 3D origami birds capturing the incredible spectacle.
- Weekly Music Lessons for one talented child. The festival has funded one‑to‑one lessons that allowed a young musician to develop skills that would otherwise have been out of reach.
- In 2025 Wedmore Festival introduced its Outreach programme with a visit from Andy Stanton, author of the Mr Gum books. The children enjoyed hilarious sessions as he told his own writing story and encouraged them to record their thoughts and be creative.
These projects demonstrate how festival proceeds directly benefit local children—supporting creativity, confidence, and educational enrichment across our community. Mr Keith Bounois, Chair of Wedmore Local Partnership Board (Governors) has said about Wedmore Festival:
“I want to place on record my thanks for all they do to pay for professional artists who encourage our children to engage in a wide range of art-related activities, many of which they would otherwise rarely experience”.
A Festival That Gives Back
It’s worth remembering that attending Wedmore Festival events does more than offer a great night out. It helps fund workshops, lessons, and creative experiences that shape the lives of young people in our village.
The Wedmore Cathedral School Soloist Showcase is a perfect example of this spirit: world‑class young performers inspiring the next generation, right here in Wedmore.
As a not for profit organisation Wedmore Festival is committed to using the surplus we generate from our events to help support young local artists and performers, and to encourage a love of the arts. The Festival is dedicated especially to supporting young talent and to encouraging a love of the arts amongst the younger generation.
In the past , we have provided financial & artistic support to our three brilliant young protegées, Georgina Sweet, Poppy McGhee and Innes Oliver, singer/actress, violinist and ballet dancer respectively. All three girls are flourishing in their chosen fields and would like to pass on their thanks to our audiences who, by supporting the Festival, allow the Festival to support them!
Our festival team is very proud to be able to support young artists as they further their professional careers.