IN 2010 WE WILL BE CELEBRATING OUR CENTENARY AND ANY IDEAS FOR MAKING IT A TRUE CELEBRATION OF MUSIC AND SONG AND SPEECH WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED.  We are hoping to create special certificates for our Centenary.  Is there anyone out there who was awarded a certificate in years gone by that would be willing to lend it to me to be scanned so we can try to reproduce it for this special year? - if so please get in touch with julie@cornerhousewb.co.uk

International adjudicator and distinguished musician, Michael Hancock, described this year's Wensleydale Tournament of Song as fabulous and amazing.

he is not the only adjudicator who has enjoyed adjudicating at the tournament which is renowned for its family atmosphere, large audiences and fun.

In 2006 Margaret Venables commented: " This has always been the friendliest of festivals.  It is unique."

And Cally Foster, who adjudicated the speech classes that year, described it as a wonderful, happy festival.  "It has such a happy atmosphere with terrific numbers of entrants particularly amongst the youngsters".

The adjudicators at next year's tournament March 5th - 10th 2008 can expect the same support from the tournament team, audiences and participants.

At the annual general meeting Stan Roocroft said he would continue as president as he would like to lead the tournament in its centenary year.  It will celebrate 100 years of actual tournaments in 2010.

The Wensleydale Tournament of Song 2008 took place in The Methodist Hall, Leyburn and once again was very well supported.  The committee would like to say a huge thank you to every-one who took part and also thanks go to all who support by coming to listen or to steward - we are very grateful that in such a rural area we have so many interested and talented people!!

Speech classes 21st through to 23rd March 2007

Music classes 26th through to 29th March 2007

Our adjudicators this yeafor 2007 were Marie Dixon and Michael Hancock.

The Methodist Church Hall in Leyburn is often full during the Wensleydale Tournament of Song

Marie Dixon enjoys an impromptu workshop with those from the Wensleydale School who took part in the dramatic group speaking class.

Michael Hancock talks to some of the school children who were eager to learn more about music-making.

The Wensleydale Tournament of Song 2008 Syllabus will be available to download soon.  I will leave the sullabus from 2007 available until the 2008 one is ready so that if you are interested you can still have a look!! -   so come on all you budding performers download a copy from the syllabus link along with the entry form!!   We promise that the welcome you get will be friendly and constructive with an honest assessment of your work being given to you by the country's top adjudicators.  Follow the link here for a downloadable version of the syllabus and entry form.

If you have never heard of our tournament before and wonder what it's all about please browse the syllabus it is full of information about the classes available for you to enter and if you don't fancy entering then it is a fantastic fortnight and the best value for money entertainment.