Newest addition to popular music festival organised by teenager
The audience enjoys a jazz picnic during the Wymondham Music Festival. Picture: Anna Meek - Credit: Archant
A free outdoor music festival was organised by a 17-year-old with a passion for her town.
17-year-old Suzie Heylings from Wymondham. PHOTO: Suzie Heylings - Credit: Archant
Suzannah 'Suzie' Heylings, a year 12 Wymondham College student, is the youngest member of the Wymondham Town Team, set up to promote its events and attractions.
Her latest achievement is organising a new addition to the Wymondham Music Festival called Sounds of Summer on Saturday, June 30.
The free outdoor community event was designed to bring young people together with live music, activities and food stalls.
Regional bands such as Red Wine Talk, Anna Carter and Jordan Baker were joined by former X-Factor contestant Joey Devries in performing on Saturday.
The launch of Wymondham's Wynterfest in 2016. L-r Suzie Heylings, Rosemary heylings, Frances young, penny Hubble. Byline: Sonya Duncan Copyright: Archant 2016 - Credit: Sonya Duncan
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Miss Heylings said: 'I aimed to bring together youth community groups in the running of the event - Wymondham Fire cadets and a couple of Guide units from Wymondham were all involved.
'I look forward to seeing everyone come together to have a good time and enjoy each others company.'
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Miss Heylings started managing events in 2013 when she organised a church Christmas tree festival. It saw more than 30 community groups from around the area dressing up the trees to their festive best and displaying them at the Wymondham Abbey.
Visitors could donate to the charities or buy a programme to boost the total raised.
Christmas tree festival at Wymondham Abbey organised by Suzie Heylings in 2014. Picture by: Sonya Duncan - Credit: Sonya Duncan
However in recent years Miss Heylings has taken a break in order to focus on getting her GCSEs.
She said: 'Before leaving Wymondham and going off to uni I wanted to do more of an event for younger people.
'I was just seeing there wasn't that much for the young people to do in Wymodham, especially in the summer.
'Music festivals are often expensive which might exclude some people who can't afford it. It's going to be a nice fun day out.'
Miss Heylings, who wants to study marketing and management at university, also managed to secure funding for the event, after applying for grants from the John Jarrold Trust and The Big Lottery Fund.
Sounds of Summer was part of the week-long Wymondham Music Festival which featured artists including lyric soprano Jessica Robinson and the Norfolk young musician of the year Archie Bonham.
