Youngsters in fine voice

St Agnes primary school pupils perform Spike Milligan’s “On the Ning Nang Nong”

MORE than 2,000 primary school pupils made themselves heard at Oldham’s 30th annual Choral Speaking Festival.

They performed a varied range of classic and modern verse — from “In Flanders Fields” and “Macbeth” to the “Boneyard Rap” and “Hugger Mugger” — at the three-day event at Oldham Coliseum.

More than 45,000 under-11s have taken part in the festival, organised by the Rotary Club of Oldham Metro, in the last three decades.

Choral speaking coordinator Con Kelly said: “The aim is to foster the enjoyment of poetry in children and to develop their self-confidence.”

The winners were chosen by adjudicator Marie Dixon and guests included the Mayor and Mayoress of Oldham, Councillor John and Kathleen Hudson.

Rotary club president Jim Matthews said: “The festival is an event where everyone who comes is a winner. For many this will be their first time on a professional stage; for some it won’t be their last.”