Young critics were recognised at a festival sponsors' evening.
The Newbury Spring Festival celebrated the winners of its 2024 Young Festival Critics Competition at a sponsors' evening.
The winners, picked by a panel of judges, were honoured by Newbury Mayor, Councillor Andy Moore, at a dinner at The Post on Monday, November 25.
Open to school-age children, the competition invited them to write or record reviews of festival events they attended in May.
The winners in the different age categories were Hannah Hunter-Smart (5-8 years), Martha Clayton (9-11 years), and Erica Phillips (12-18 years).
Each winner will receive four lessons at Good Vibes Music Academy, an opportunity to work with Trish Lee at Newbury Weekly News to write and publish another concert review, and a chance to present a concert review on Kennet Radio.
They will also return to the festival in 2025 to interview an artist performing at the next festival.
Details of the 2025 event, now updated on the festival’s website, were also shared at the evening.
The festival expressed gratitude to the judges for their time and effort in reviewing the submissions.
The Newbury Spring Festival, known for its wide range of events, offers opportunities for young people to engage with the arts and develop their critical appreciation through this annual competition.
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