Mostly unknown in England, Callum soon demonstrated why he is so popular in his native Scotland. His original songs were full of heartfelt lyrics and vibrant musicianship, often reflecting his own emotional journey.

Reepham fan Julie Fielder commented on Facebook: “There are several new Callum Beattie fans from our group of old rockers! His set was the perfect finale to another superb Reepham Festival.”

His performance was preceded by a full day of music with both original music and tribute acts. Queen tribute Flash proved once again that they can get their audience on their feet with a pitch-perfect rendition of iconic tracks such as I Want To Break Free and We Are The Champions.

A further rock tribute, Wrong Jovi, were equally popular with the Reepham crowd, delivering classics such as Sweet Child Of Mine and Living On A Prayer.

Original music came in the form of Dissident Bleu and Koba, winners of the Metal 2 the Masses East Anglia Final. The day also featured rock favourites The Divide, Hammeta, Purplivine and Def Leppard tribute Def Lepp’d.

Festival director Tom Crisp said: “It’s always amazing to see all of our hard work come together to create a fantastic day of high-quality music. It couldn’t be this good without the commitment and dedication of the brilliant team of volunteers who make the whole thing happen.”

RFestival 25 had two local charity partners that will benefit from the proceeds of a raffle to win a guitar that took place on the day: Break, which raises funds to support work to make life better for young people on the edge of care, in care and leaving care, and the Black Dog Music Project, which helps those who suffer challenges to their mental health to participate and rediscover their love and skills for music.

The festival continued on Sunday 10 August with a further programme of music based outside the King’s Arms in Reepham’s Market Place.

Brenda Gostling

Photos: Reepham Festival

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Hosted by the Village Voices singing group, this special afternoon brought together music lovers of all ages for an unforgettable experience.

The concert was filled with moving performances, starting with Wendy’s stunning rendition of Blackbird. Her powerful voice captured the audience with a perfect blend of strength and vulnerability.

Next, Gwen enchanted with her soft, nostalgic performance of Scarlet Ribbons, while Pauline brought laughter and joy with her lively, toe-tapping performance of Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat.

One of the most touching moments came with the performance of Sailing, which featured British Sign Language, making the experience even more inclusive and visually impactful. This thoughtful gesture highlighted the group’s commitment to making music accessible for everyone.

During the interval, guests enjoyed a traditional tea party, complete with homemade treats, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that felt more like a gathering of friends than a performance. It was a true reflection of the community spirit that defines Reepham.

Diane Davies

Photo: submitted

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The concert will include children from Cawston Primary Academy, Sing for All (a community choir from Weston Longville), David Shippey on the organ, and Joss Cooper and Sophie Van de Louw, accompanied by Andrew Mildinhall.

Tickets are £5 for adults (children free) and are available online, at All Things Nice, 9 High Street, Cawston, and on the door, which opens at 6.30 pm. Look out for posters and flyers with more information.

The concert forms part of Cawston Music Festival, which is taking place in the village throughout June.

If anyone is interested in singing with the choir, more information can be found on the website or contact the secretary, Naomi Horrocks, by email.

Established in 2021, Cawston Community Choir meets at 7.30 pm on Tuesday evenings in Cawston Parish Church, singing a wide variety of music from musicals, pop and folk songs to more classical pieces.

See our earlier story:

• Inaugural Cawston Music Festival to be held in June

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Parish Church of St Agnes, Cawston. Photo: Andrew Whitehead

Concerts in St Agnes’ church by Cawston Band, Cawston Community Choir and Pot of Gold Shanty Crew will provide the backbone of the festival, and as well as concerts there will be singalong sessions, special church services, workshops, a disco and a musically themed quiz night.

With its glorious acoustic qualities, the village’s medieval church will host a number of events and there will also be gatherings at Cawston Village Hall and the Bell Inn.

Cawston’s vicar, Revd. Andrew Whitehead, said: “Since the difficult times of Covid-19, when live music ground to a halt, we’ve been working hard in Cawston to bring back live music to the village.

“We’ve built a community choir from nothing and our friends at Cawston Primary Academy have been busy bringing back a culture of singing in the school.

“This new music festival is the culmination of several years of effort and we hope it will bring joy to audiences this summer.”

Headline performers at the month-long festival include Cawston Band, one of Norfolk’s oldest and most high-profile brass bands. It was formed in 1886 as the Cawston & District Silver Prize Band, when its first rehearsal room was based above the Bell Inn, which remained the band’s home until the 1960s.

In 1998 the band moved to the St Faiths Centre in Horsham St Faith, which has remained the band’s rehearsal room to the present day.

The festival will also welcome the Pot of Gold Shanty Crew: a group of 11 musicians and friends now in their ninth year of sprinkling shanty magic over audiences from Land’s End to the East Coast and points in between.

The Cawston Community Choir, which started after the Covid lockdowns as a way to encourage the return of singing in the community, will also be performing as part of the festival, bringing a mixed programme of music and a range of special guest performers.

The music festival is being co-ordinated by Cawston Parish Church, part of the Aylsham and District Team Ministry, and seeks to raise much needed funds for the groups and venues in the village that take part.

Full details of all the events and venues, along with links to buy tickets, can be found on the Cawston Music Festival website.

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Nicholas Daniel OBE. Photo: Eric Richmond

Mr Daniel, one of the world’s leading oboe players, came to fame when he won the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition in 1988. He is now famous internationally, not only for his performances and recordings of oboe repertoire, but also for his conducting. He has performed at The Proms as well as across the world.

With the oboe ideally suited to Salle Church, Mr Daniel will be playing a concerto by Haydn, as well as conducting popular symphonies by Schubert and Beethoven.

A special bonus will be White Interment by Ukrainian composer Victoria Poleva – a haunting piece that features a prominent oboe solo.

Tickets for the concert are on sale from £16 and £5 for students and under 18s, and can be booked in advance online. Remember to bring a picnic to enjoy before the concert.

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This summer, the grandeur of opera meets the historic elegance of Wolterton, as we proudly present a series of stunning performances by Wild Arts:

The Elixir of Love – Sunday 13 July 2025 – BOOK HERE

A Night at the Opera – Saturday 2 August 2025 – BOOK HERE

Photo: Wolterton

Renowned for their exceptional productions that bring opera to life in breathtaking settings, Wild Arts will transport audiences with their world-class singers, stirring orchestration and captivating storytelling, all set within the estate’s magnificent grounds.

Whether you are a devoted opera enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, these performances promise to be a highlight of the season, blending artistic excellence with the beauty of nature.

Expect a magical repertoire featuring beloved classics and thrilling new interpretations, performed in an intimate and atmospheric open-air setting.

With the serene lake, ancient trees and the stately Wolterton Hall itself framing each performance, the synergy of music and landscape creates an experience unlike any other.

For those looking to extend the enchantment, Wolterton offers the rare opportunity to stay overnight in one of its magnificent main-hall bedrooms.

Steeped in history and elegantly restored, these luxurious accommodations allow guests to fully immerse themselves in the grandeur of the estate.

Wake up to sweeping views of the parkland, enjoy a leisurely breakfast in the opulent surroundings, and take in the tranquillity of this historic home. It’s the perfect way to turn an evening of opera into an unforgettable getaway.

This special event marks the first of our summer dates being released as part of Wolterton’s new Arts and Culture programme, with more exciting performances and experiences to be announced soon.

Whether you choose a grand evening with friends or a romantic night out, this is an opportunity to witness world-class artistry in an extraordinary location.

Secure your tickets and book your stay now for a cultural escape unlike any other.

More information: emily@wolterton.co.uk

07386 678532 | 01263 493263

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The programme will be a mix of carols and festive songs, with a warm and witty accompaniment by Ian Colman.

The Singing for All community choir, which is also based at the hall, will be supporting the audience and singing two songs; they have been hard at work on Silent Night for some weeks.

The audience will be put in good voice by mulled wine and mince pies when they arrive.

Tickets are £8 on the door (cash only), under 16s free. Parking is available on the playing field and at the Hall for All, Church Street, Weston Longville.

Ruth Goodall

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Behind the scenes during filming for The Secret Folk Dancer in Reepham in October. Left to right: producer Lesley van Dijk, director Teele Dunkley and actor Kim-Michael Last. Photo: Jamie Bird

The filmmakers have already filmed a few scenes in Estonia last year following crowdfunding campaigns.

The majority of the movie is due to be filmed in the UK when the rest of the funding for the feature-length movie is secured.

Ms Dunkley wrote the script with Norfolk-based screenwriter Stephan Drury which tells the story of a conflicted Filipino-Estonian teenager, Rein, who is forced to lead a tricky double life after he joins an Estonian folk dance group. He does this out of fear of being made fun of by his no-nonsense and cool London skateboarding friends.

The film is a coming-of-age drama with comic elements and lots of movement, showcasing various dance styles and scenes with skateboarding.

Readers of the script were hooked from the start and have called it a “multicultural Billy Elliott”.

Actors from well-known Netflix series are already attached to the project, as well as Oscar-nominated Estonian actor Reimo Sagor and British-Filipino actor Kim-Michael Last alongside comedian and actress Ria Lina.

On set, the young actor Dominic Montes from Estonia who plays Rein was joined for the filming in Reepham by the cast from London, Manchester, Yorkshire, Suffolk and Norfolk, including actor Adam Parkinson from the popular Two Mr Ps in a Pod(Cast).

See our earlier story:

• Reepham-based moviemakers in UK-Estonian dance film production

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Wishbone Ash flew in from their base in the USA a day early, ahead of their 80-plus venue UK, American and European tour, especially to perform to around 100 guests at local resident Steve Jenkins’ 70th birthday celebrations.

Inspired by British folk traditions, American jazz and R&B, the group, formed in Torquay, Devon, in 1969, have played to public and critical acclaim, achieving initial success in the early to mid-1970s.

Having pioneered the use of twin lead guitars, Wishbone Ash have gained worldwide recognition, inspiring the likes of Thin Lizzy, Iron Maiden and The Eagles.

The “crowd-wowing” private event was held in the 500-year-old barn at Salle Moor Hall Farm run by The All Day Brewing Company.

Mr Jenkins, a graphic design consultant at SJD, founded the Reepham Festival in 2007, stepping down from the annual music event’s organising committee in 2021.

See our earlier story:

• Music festival founder steps down

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Tatiana Eva-Marie was born in Switzerland and from an early age she developed a love of swing and gypsy jazz.

She now lives in New York where she leads the Avalon Jazz Band and has enchanted audiences around the world with the gentle clarity of her voice and her natural, joie de vivre style, which have earned her an international following with more than 70 million YouTube views.

The event at Salle Park, from 4–6 pm (including an interval), is being organised by local furniture maker Michael Westgate, who has collaborated with international jazz harpist Ben Creighton Griffiths to bring Tatiana to the UK for just two concerts – the first time she has performed in this country for six years.

Cardiff-based Ben has performed regularly in North Norfolk with his Transatlantic Hot Club to enthusiastic audiences and will be leading a string trio to accompany her.

Tickets are priced at £28 (under 16s £14) and can be purchased online HERE. Please bring your own chairs/blankets; you are welcome to bring a picnic. Gate opens at 3.30 pm.

The car park entrance is on Cawston Road. There is a walk of about 400 metres from the car park to the garden site.

The performance will go ahead regardless of the weather, so come prepared!

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