Testimonials

"The Vale of Belvoir Festival of Live Music is actively bringing together our rural communities. I am pleased to add my enthusiastic support to this social enterprise project that is already well supported by local people and local businesses.
As the lead member for Children and Young People at Melton Borough Council I believe the opportunities this will give to our young people are brilliant. Recent comments from Liverpool following their Year of Culture state youth activities associated to community led cultural events have resulted in an increase in community involvement and a decrease in crime.
As a resident of the area and a member of Melton Borough Council I am fully supportive of ValeFest and will certainly be attending their future events."
Cllr Pam Posnett, Ab Kettleby & Melton Borough Council  

"Winterval was an excellent opportunity for children and families to join in something very different. It was fun and gave people the chance to express themselves through art.
Everyone who participated from Sherard thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and we cannot wait for ValeFest’s summer festival - whatever form it takes we will be there!"
Alison Wright, Head Teacher, Sherard Primary School

 

"ValeFest is a great idea and I'm glad we got involved in the Winterval festival.
We thought The Manners Arms would be best suited to an acoustic session held in our bar and lounge area, partly due to the night we chose and also the question would we fill it?
Well, what can I say? - we had the busiest Thursday in months! We were full from 7.30 til close and a great night was had by all."
This is definitely something we'd do again and help to support the ValeFest vision.
Paul Hoad, Chef Manager, The Manners Arms, Knipton

"Wow! The drumming workshops were amazing! The children were extremely enthusiastic and those who took part in the Hootenanny show were especially complimentary, both about taking part in the performance and watching others perform.
The feedback we got from other people in the audience was of how good our pupils were - this was an immense confidence booster for all the children involved.
(Workshop and performance) hit every area of the music curriculum together with the social and emotional development of the pupils. Thank you so much for all your efforts."
Troy Jenkinson, Head Teacher, Stathern Primary School

 

"What a great time The Kinx had taking part in Winterval! We appreciated the opportunity to play at Melton Theatre and would be very willing to take part in other ValeFest events. Response has been terrific – we’ve received several bookings as a result of our involvement!"
Chris White (Ray Davis), The Kinx

 

"Pubs are at the centre of village communities so as a small village business we support ValeFest's aim to bring the community together through music and were pleased to hold a Winterval event at The Wheel Inn. The band were excellent and the event drew a sizeable crowd, so we did good business on a mid-week night. We'd welcome the opportunity to support ValeFest by holding further events"
Sally & Ben, Proprietors, The Wheel Inn at Branston

"I am very pleased that ValeFest is being held at this time when so many are apprehensive about the future. It is important that cultural events continue to take place to lift the spirit as well as provide local people with access to live music. I wish the initiative well and look forward to the summer programme."
Cllr Byron Rhodes, Harby, Melton Borough Councillor & Leicestershire County Councillor for Belvoir Division

  "I am happy to lend my support and perform for ValeFest. ValeFest seeks to promote local musicians in the Vale of Belvoir and to work to enhance the local community. By bringing together and supporting local performers ValeFest promotes community cohesion which will have numerous benefits for the local population.
"Dr Philip Rathbone, GP, Long Clawson Medical Practice

"Music-making at a local level generates pride in creative achievements and stimulates a positive ethos within the wider community. As a family living in the Vale, we’re delighted to see the enthusiasm of the ValeFest team for bringing music into a rural area, and we’ll be taking part in as many ValeFest events as we can - whether as performers or spectators."
Jill O’Sullivan, Director, Principal Communications, Barrowby, Grantham

"ValeFest provides the opportunity to draw together communities from across the Vale of Belvoir area, providing a valuable community service, getting people together, enabling them to make new friends, learn new skills, exchange ideas and work together, sharing their creative talents.
In these days of doom and gloom ValeFest’s activities provide a focal point for young and old alike and are fast becoming an integral part of the community. I strongly support this project."
Frances Stapleton, Editor, Framland Focus Deanery Magazine, Bottesford

 

"Just what the Vale of Belvoir needs."
80-year-old Vale of Belvoir resident