The Methodist London South East District Youth Festival
The Methodist London South East District Youth Festival annual area competitions were held at Rye Methodist Church on Saturday, 5th March. 1966. 180 entries were received for some 50 classes, ranging from solo and choir singing, elocution, handwriting, drawing and photography to needlework and embroidery. The qualified adjudicators had no easy task in deciding the order of merit.
The young people taking part came from as far afield as Ashford, Catsfield, Ham Street, Hastings, Lydd and New Romney, but honours in the singing classes went to Rye Junior Choir under their able conductor, Mr. Jim Foster.
The church was full to capacity both for the afternoon competitions and for the evening concert given by the winners in various classes and the ladies of the church were kept busy providing refreshments.
Mr. W. J. Suter, M.A., of Ashford, chaired the evening meeting and presented certificates. He reminded his audience that after 16 years at Ashford the Festival was transferred to Rye for the first time last year and he congratulated all concerned on the success of the occasion.
Winning competitors will now take part in the District finals to be held at Maidstone on 23rd April.
Rye Successes in the Festival
Class 1 Choirs (under 13)—Junior Methodist Choir
Class 2 Choirs (under 18)—Junior Methodist Choir
Class 3 Choirs (under 26)—Junior Methodist Choir
Class 4 Choirs (Two part) (under 26)—Junior Methodist Choir
Class 6 Choirs (Four part) (all ages)—Senior Methodist Choir
Class 9 Vocal Solos (15-18)—Elaine Goodsell
Class 10 Vocal Solos (Contralto) (15-18)— Judith Holmes
Class 14 Vocal Duets (under 13)— Allison Purrington and Geoffrey Holland
Class 15 Vocal Duet (13-15)—Marilyn Purrington and Janet Foster
Class 16 Vocal Duets (16-25)—Pamela Polhill and Judith Holmes
Class 23 Piano Solos (12-14)—Janet Foster
Class 29 Hymn Playing (under 16)—Janet Foster
Class 32 Elocution (11-13)—Marilyn Purrington