This year Workington Musical Festival shone with talent from competitors in the verse speaking, singing and music elements.

Over the four days children and adults from all over the area came to Workington to compete.

Carol Telford, a singing teacher from High Harrington, contacted the Times & Star to say that there is a wealth of talent in our local area and how valuable the festival is for improving young people's confidence and improving their skills.

This year Mrs Telford entered nine pupils, six under 18. She said: "I would like to congratulate all my pupils who performed and especially trophy winners:- Bonnie Leece, Amelia Crawford, Caitlen Edmondson, Emily Jardine and Sophie Mills. I don't put it into their minds to win I tell them to enjoy it and get better every year, giving them confidence."

Organisers have expressed concern for the festival's future as less schools than ever before took part. But there are three schools that were outstanding at the festival, St Bridget's Catholic School in Egremont excelled in the verse and choral speaking and Victoria Junior and Infant and Nursery Schools received seven awards altogether for their singing ability.

The Carnegie Singers, under the direction of musical director and resident conductor Stephen Hunter-Brown, accompanied by Scott Miller, entered the mixed vocal class. Adjudicator, John Powell, gave the choir very good feedback on the two pieces that they sung and awarded the choir a commendation for their performance. The choir took home two prizes, The TC Wilkinson Memorial Trophy and the Millie Booth Trophy. A spokesman for the Carnegie Singers said: "Our thanks go to the organisers of the festival for making the choir so welcome for the four years in which we have been competing."

Workington Musical Festival Results, November 7 to November 10

November 7

Verse speaking

Girl or boy U8: Emily Long, St Bridget’s Catholic School, Egremont, 83. Girl U10: Addison L Jonker, Penrith, 85. Girl 10 to U12: Neve Finn, Gilgarran, 87.

Girl or boy U18: Isabella Robson, St Bridget’s Catholic School, Egremont, 84. Mary Mason Trophy - Isabella Robson.

Public speaking

Girl or boy 15 and under: Isabella Robson, St Bridget’s Catholic School, Egremont, 86.

Choral speaking

U12: St Bridget’s Catholic Primary School, Egremont, 87. Open: St Bridget’s Catholic Primary School, Egremont, 87.

Reading at sight

U18: Ben L Jonker, Penrith, 85. 18 and over: Stacey Jonker, Penrith, 86.

Bible reading

U12: Lucy Bridge, St Bridget’s Catholic School, Egremont, 86. Open: Ben L Jonker, Penrith, 86.

Solo Shakespeare

Open: Ben L Jonker, Penrith, 84. Own poetry 10 and under: Neve Finn, Gilgarran, 85.

Storybook 10 and under: Addison L Jonker, Penrith, 85.

Vocal solo

Boy or girl U12: Amber Hooper, Whitehaven, 86. 12 to U18: Emma Jennings, Workington, 87. 18 years and over: Jasmin Smith, Whitehaven, 85.

November 8

Youth choirs singing in the German language 17 and under: Victoria Junior School yr 5-6, Workington, 85.

Junior choirs

Year 6 and under: Victoria Junior School yr 5-6, Workington, 84. Year 6 and under max 20 voices: Our lady and St Patrick’s School, Maryport, 85.

Infant choirs

U8: Victoria infant and nursery, Workington, 85.

Hymn singing

U8: Victoria infant & nursery, Workington, 83. U12: Victoria Junior School yr 3-4, Workington, 87.

Solo girl or boy

U10: Bonnie Leece, Cockermouth, 86. 14 to U18: Sophie Mackenzie, Workington, 84. Girls solo 12 to U14: Hannah Weakley, Cockermouth, 87. Girls solo 16 to U18: Leanna Thompson, Workington, 87.

Vocal duet for girls and boys U18: Amber Hooper and Sophie Jackson, Whitehaven, 90.

Vocal solo 12 to U18: Amelia Crawford, Workington, 88.

Patricia Anne Nelson Trophy: Sophie Mackenzie

Mixed voice choir: Carnegie Singers, Workington, 84.

Victorian/Edwardian open: Pat Nelson, Workington, 87.

Vocal duet 18 and over: Paula Carruthers and Glenis Holliday, Workington, 86.

Ladies trio open: The Kellys, Whitehaven, 85.

November 9

Pianoforte solo 10 and under: Mylo Tsang, Cockermouth, 86. 14 to under 16: Lucy Mooney, Workington, 87. Anderson Trophy, Lucy Mooney. U18: John Hopley, 86.

Beethoven class for solo pianoforte: Lucy Mooney, Workington, 85.

Solo instrument open: William Scott, Workington, 86.

Electronic keyboard solo U16: Jamie Brannon, 85. Open: Jamie Brannon, 83.

Workington Rotary Young Musician Instrumental John Hopley chosen to go through to the next round.

Disney class U16: Emma Jennings, Workington, 87.

Girls solo 10 to U12: Neve Finn, Gilgarran, 87.

Rhoda Redhead Trophy: Neve Finn.

Vocal solo 18 and over: Jasmin Smith, Whitehaven, 88.

Young ladies solo 18 to 21: Jasmin Smith, Whitehaven, 87.

Operatic solo open: Kimberley Brough, Workington, 86.

November 10

Contralto solo 18 and over: Kath Smith, Whitehaven, 86.

Mezzo soprano solo 18 and over: Gillian Rothery, Whitehaven, 88.

Soprano solo 18 and over: Vanessa Turpin, Whitehaven, 86.

Songs from the shows U12: Abigail Stevenson, Whitehaven, 88. 12 to U18: Caitlen Edmundson, Workington, 88. 18 and over: Kimberley Brough, Workington, 90.

Light operatic solo open: Vanessa Turpin, Whitehaven, 87.

Youth choirs 21 years and under: Harriet Malone Singers, St Bees, 81.

Oratorio or sacred open: Pat Nelson, Workington, 89.

Folk song 18 and over: Celia Tibble, Workington, 87. Under 18: Bonnie Leece, Cockermouth, 88.

Inner wheel club of Workington Junior Rose Bowl: Amelia Crawford.

Special awards

Ben Morgan Memorial Trophy – U18 highest mark music section, Sophie Jackson and Amber Hooper.

Lily Morgan Memorial Trophy – U18 highest mark in verse speaking, Neve Finn and St Bridget’s Catholic School.

Ivander Trophy – Highest mark in adult class (18 and over) – Kimberley Brough.

Carnegie Singers Trophy – Chosen by adjudicator in adult vocal solo who shows most promise, Sophie Mills.

Heather Short Trophy – chosen by adjudicator in junior vocal solo who shows most promise, Emily Jardine.

Sean Rea Trophy – Best endeavour by small choir, Derwent Vale Primary School.

Sarah Holmes Memorial Award – Highest mark in all piano classes, Lucy Mooney.

Williams Gold Cup – Winner of Williams Gold Cup competition, Gillian Rothery.

Florence and Isaac Armstrong Trophy – Chosen by adjudicator under 18 with most promise in solo speech classes, Summer Rayner, St Bridget’s Catholic School.