TAUNTON Festival of the Arts (TFA) celebrated its 111th anniversary this year at Temple Methodist from November 11-15 and paid tribute to an “influential” teacher through dedicating an award in her memory.

The festival is open to all children from ages 5 - 18 in genres spanning poetry, prose, fun improvisation, sight reading, acting and even newscasting. Over 300 performances were adjudicated by the esteemed Thalia Squire. 

At the beginning of November, Bridget Philipson (Education Secretary) recognised that “great teachers are the most important factor in a child’s success”.

In memory of Miss Margaret Way

One influential teacher, Miss Margaret Way touched the lives of incalculable numbers of Taunton children over six decades and taught until she was 92. She is remembered with an overall memorial cup this year - the Margaret Way Memorial Cup – Adjudicator’s award.

Many will remember Miss Margaret Way (a true Taunton girl) as one of an exceptional band of dedicated teachers.

Miss Way, who taught Speech at Queen’s College for many years is held most dear to many generations of pupils with Evan as this year’s recipient of the memorial cup.

Guest of Honour

Old Queenian and Olympic bronze medallist, Becky Wilde, attended the festival, reminiscing over her own success and her own experiences with the Taunton Festival when she was still a student at Queen’s.

Becky Wilde cited her early lessons with Miss Way as giving her the confidence to speak so candidly in numerous media interviews since her Olympic success.

Upholding over a hundred years of tradition

The TFA is continuing the tradition that Margaret Way lived by and the main objective at the festival is to inspire confidence through speech, communication, self-expression and the love of language. 

In some cases, three generations of Way’s students attended the festival just to see their children and grandchildren carry on the tradition. 

Quotes from the leadership team of the TFA

“The ability to speak confidently in front of a small or large group of people is valuable in every walk of life, so I am delighted to see our students excelling in this county-wide competition.  There are so many opportunities at Queen's for students to enhance their presentation skills- be it in school productions, debates or speech exams- and these results are a testament to the fantastic learning that is taking place,” Ian Trafford, Director of Performing Arts at Queen’s College said proudly.

“It is incredibly important for young people to be able to experience standing before an audience and the thrill of completion and appreciation of their performance in order to develop inner self-assurance for all aspects of their life,” Laura Sewell (TFA drama Secretary) added.

“Feel the fear and do it anyway.  You can do it,” she continued, “At times, you could feel the buzz of electricity coming off the children as they descended from the stage.   You just know that this positive experience of success is a milestone in their life.”

“The TFA is such an important asset for Taunton to continue and it is vital that we keep this Festival alive and thriving for our young people in future years,” Laura Sewell, a spokesperson for Taunton Festival of the Arts concluded by saying.

Competition entry for the 112th TFA (Drama) opens from October 2025, so don’t miss out.