MORE than 150 performers aged from just five years old up to 75-plus took to the stage cheered on by a 1,000-strong audience for the return of the Dance in the Meadow festival in Gostrey Meadow on Sunday, June 3.

The popular event is a key part of Farnham Town Council’s Music in the Meadow summer season, co-produced by Farnham Maltings, The Dance Movement, New Adventures and Stopgap Dance Company.

An eclectic mix of live dance performances ranged from urban to contemporary, ballet and jazz, alongside a workshop programme of lindy hop, maypole, African and Caribbean and hip hop.

The festival included performances from The Dance Movement’s community dance programmes, Demeric School of Dance, Showshack, Illusion Dance Academy, Stopgap Dance Company Sg Troop, a piece from a Surrey-based dance company Quicksilver, ACTYX Productions (University of East London), Zambesi Dance Company, Potters Gate Primary School plus a special performance from the My Shout – Celebrating Age project led by Farnham Maltings in partnership with New Adventures.

In addition there was a special performance by Stopgap Dance Company who performed Bill and Bobby with guest performer David Toole.

“It has been a complete pleasure to have worked with Farnham Town Council and a host of local organisations to make this happen,” said Gavin Stride, director at the Farnham Maltings.

“It says something about the everydayness of dance that almost 1,000 people turned out on a sunny afternoon to see and be part of the afternoon. The Maltings added “a special thanks” to Farnham Town Council and the Leche Trust.