Hoylake hosted the inaugural Festival of Firsts over the weekend and it would seem that the event was well-attended. Following the three days of art, music, drama and poetry the event is to continue this coming weekend in Oxton.
The organisers are hailing the Hoylake event a great success, but what about you? Did you see any of the events, paid or free? What did you think? Should Hoylake host more arts-based events during the year? Are the extra visitors to Hoylake spending money in the shops, bars and restaurants?
Feel free to have your say!
I loved the whole idea and thought it very exciting.
The only event I attended was the Wirral Ukulele Band playing in St Hildeburgh’s. I was a little surprised by the £5 entry fee but when we were reminded it was for Claire House we were happy to have paid, no problem. The setting was gorgeous and music lots of fun.
As for the wider festival, there was almost too much on! It seemed a little over-whelming trying to look up what was on and where, even if you knew of a specific item you were looking for.
The organisers are to be applauded for their ambitious first year and this is definitely something to be repeated.
Well done to John Gorman for bringing the idea to Hoylake and to Stirling and all the Volunteers who took the idea on board.
The number of people I met who were extremely amazed at Hoylake what a super venue for such an event. The Churches, Melrose Hall, Community Centre all did their bit ,and the Promenade, Marine Gardens and Museum and Railings for the Art really showed the spectators just what we can do.
Of course there will be things to discuss for a better Festival next year. AND it will be in HOYLAKE.
I thought it was great – the art on the Prom and in the Community Centre was excellent and it was good to see so many people enjoying Hoylake. All the volunteers who put this together should be very proud.
On a slightly separate note, I think some of the local shops could have become more involved; I walked along Market Street at around 4.15pm, and some were already closed. Some had artwork in the windows, but they really could have made more of a feature of being part of the Festival – at no cost. There are a lot of Hoylake people who are keen to promote and use our local shops – but the shops need to take responsibility and get involved too.
Well done to everyone who was involved – here’s to next year’s Festival!
I was slightly bemused, although meetings of the organisers of the event were held at The Plasterers’ Arms, we had no entertainment here, but were listed on the official programme as having folk music, and in the local newspaper as having “smuggler’s Tales” on Saturday afternoon, none of which we were aware of, so to the few people who turned up for these events, I am sorry, but not much communication with us from any of the committee.
The weekend was throughly enjoyable I opened on Sunday from 11.30 -4pm and had plenty of customers, lots of people from out of town with different accents, some needing directions to the Prom and others looking for exhibitions in Market Street, we had a sole Ukulele player on The Row after lunch which was nice but a couple more would have helped. A great effort by alot of people and customers have already asked if its being held again next year. Well done everyone.
Wonderful. Congratulations to all who helped to make Hoylake look and feel better than ever!!!!
The weekend had a fantastic feelgood factor – lots of people around and the place was buzzing! OK, there were a few teething troubles here and there but what a great event for Hoylake – well done especially to the promotions team – great job!