A FESTIVE celebration of music by talented South Cumbrian youngsters will fill the stage of Ulverston’s Coronation Hall on Wednesday night.

To mark the Christmas Festival by pupils of Ulverston Victoria High School we are featuring pictures from the event in 2002 along with other school music and junior drama shows.

This year’s Ulverston show starts at 7.30pm and will involve Ulverston Victoria’s wind band, instrumental ensemble and choirs, plus seasonal readings from drama students.

The Mail, on Friday, December 20, in 2002, noted: "A packed Coronation Hall was treated to a spectacular of seasonal music and song as Ulverston Victoria High School performed its annual concert.

"The Christmas festival, organised by the school's music department, featured performances from the wind band, songs from the senior and junior choirs and pieces by the brass ensemble, clarinet choir and flute choir.

"Head of arts Richard Butler said the concert had attracted praise from all quarters."

Mr Butler said: "It was absolutely brilliant.

"We've had loads of people, not just parents but members of the public, phoning up and saying how wonderful it was and how amazed they were by the quality.”

Proceeds from the 2002 concert were to help pay for new instruments for the music department and a 12-day wind band tour of Italy planned for 2004.

The Mail, on Tuesday, December 14, in 1999, noted: "Tuneful Furness students showed off their musical talents at a college Christmas concert.

"Dozens of students at Barrow Sixth Form College rehearsed hard for their Music for Christmas spectacular.

"Instruments they played ranged from the classical flute and violin to the rock 'n' roll of the drums and electric guitar.”

Also in 1999, youngsters from the Ulverston-based ACT youth theatre presented the Charles Dickens favourite A Christmas Carol at the Coronation Hall.

The Mail, on December 3, noted: "Written and directed by ACT leader Liz Loveless and packed with original songs, the show features a cast of more than 60 children.

"Adam Greer plays Scrooge and Ross Collings is Bob Cratchit.

"Emma Douch, Fernanda McDougall and Claudia Haley are the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future."