Our nostalgia this week is looking back when young artists and performers put on a dazzling display at the 52nd annual music and arts festival in 1999.
Dozens of children and young people stepped into the spotlight to take part in the annual music and arts festival, which was hosted by the Trinity Methodist Church, on Beaumont Street.
The organisers of the festival applauded their efforts throughout the five-day festival. There were150 children aged between five and 16 years old who took part in a packed programme of events, including speaking and reading, music, singing, craft and quizes.
The festival was staged by the Hexham Methodist Circuit but welcomed Sunday schools and youth groups from many other churches throughout Tynedale to take part. The evening performances began on with verse speaking and bible reading. Throughout the week, there were piano solos and duets, Bible quizzes, instrumental solos and groups, solo singing and vocal groups.
On the final day of the festival last Saturday, crafts went on display and there were workshops for the children in drama, singing and collage-making.
The festival came to a finale with the presentation of awards on the Saturday evening, which was followed by a concert featuring some of the week's highlights.
Brian Japes, who was the festival secretary along with his wife Kath, said the organisers were delighted that the festival now embraced children and young people from churches other than the Methodist ones.
He said this was a reflection of the way local churches were working together in a number of different ways.
"The concert was brilliant and children did extremely well. The standard was exceptional considering the ages of the children taking part."
He added that with fewer teenagers taking part, many of the entries were from children as young as 11 or 12, and said they performed brilliantly.
Many of those who made up the audiences said they had thoroughly enjoyed the festival, which was also boosted by being held in the newly-refurbished Trinity Methodist Church hall. The trophies were presented by the Rev Richard Firth, superintendent minister of the Hexham Methodist.
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