THE countdown is on to the 92nd Inverclyde Music Festival as children get ready to step out on stage at the annual event in Greenock Town Hall.

Festival president Isabel Lind OBE says it is shaping up to be the best yet.
More than 1,000 entrants will perform in a range of classes including poetry, singing, country dancing and music.

Mrs Lind’s old school, Aileymill Primary, where she was head teacher, are currently working hard to get ready for the big event.

The Tele visited the school to see their country dancers, pictured, gearing up for their performance.

Mrs Lind said: “I always look forward to the festival as it fairly brightens up January and February, which sometimes can be a bit flat after all the excitement of Christmas.

“In Inverclyde, the support we get from the schools is absolutely second to none.

“Back in October I attended the British Federation of Festivals conference and they said they couldn’t believe the level of support that we get from schools.

“It was lovely to hear them say that.”

One of the highlights this year will be the Poetry of World War One speech class.

Isabel added: “Graham Currie, a history teacher at St Columba’s High School in Gourock asked, if there could be a section on First World War poems.

“We thought it was a great idea and Graham has entered it himself, which is fantastic — especially as his family are all involved in the festival including his mum Christine who is the vice president and his sister Lynsey who is on the committee.”

Isabel is also looking forward to watching the choirs and country dancing contests.

She said: “This year we have an open choir mixed voices class and I’m delighted that the Clydeside Singers have entered.

“They do so much for charity and they got the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service last year, which was tremendous.

“I’m looking forward to watching them at the festival, it will be very exciting.

“I’m also thrilled that St John’s Primary School and St Michael’s Primary School have entered the country dancing and we also have a team from Glasgow who are travelling down too.”

The event warm-up begins on January 19 and 20 with the singing games classes before the festival is officially opened on Monday January 23.