Cleethorpes Music Festival - 17th June 2023
By Catrina Webb
It's hard to believe that it was nearly 6 weeks ago that we had our trip to Cleethorpes for the Cleethorpes Music Festival (it feels so much longer). As I sit with a cup of tea and reflect on the day I still quite quite believe it!
17th June dawned bright and early - for some earlier than others - One Belle on the WhatsApp group said she was up at 6.30am but had been awake since 3, and wasn't excited at all (lies!). 11.30am and it was finally time to get on the bus with some very excited faces and double checking we had got everyone and everything! 30 Belles (check), 30 tops (check), 30 necklaces (check), 60 earrings (59), lunch (check), the trophy to return (check), Abi Bear (uh oh!!)
We arrived at Cleethorpes an hour or two later and got in our warm up room, which was pretty roomy compared to some we have sung in over the years, had a sing and then got changed ready for the competition. It was lovely to meet our friends from Main Street Sound and Spirit Of Harmony again and to share the stage with them in what was a lovely afternoon of music, fun and friendship.
The Abbey Belles entered the Ladies Class and the Barbershop Class where we earnt a Commended and a trophy in both categories. Our quartet, Jabberwocky, also competed in the Barbershop Quartet Class and we were really proud of them winning with a Distinction (a good omen for their competition at LABBS Prelims the week after). Then to top the afternoon off we were announced as the overall winner of the afternoon! However, my favourite part of the day was at the end where all the competitors (Abbey Belles, Main Street Sound, Spirit Of Harmony, Jabberwocky, Noteworthy and Shaquar) got together to sing "Make Your Own Kind Of Music", what a sound that made - it even drowned out the sound of the jets flying over head for the Armed Forces Day! Thanks to Main Street Sound for the video below capturing this moment
Suffice to say we were very giddy Belles when we went for our meal, on the way home and at our afterglow in the Barn... they say a picture paints 1000 words - here's a few...
