Workington Musical Festival is the oldest in the north of England and possibly the oldest of its kind in the United Kingdom outside of Wales.
In 1869, William Griffiths (Ivander) of Aberavon formed a company to buy the Derwent Tinplate Works in Barepot just outside Workington. A large number of families moved from South Wales – mainly from the Gwent or Monmouthshire areas – and came north to work. Very few spoke English, and in order to settle they decided to organise life as they would live it at home in Wales.
An old carpenter’s shop in the works yard was used as a Chapel and meeting place for events. Being a keen musician William Griffiths (Ivander) formed both Mixed and Male Voice Choirs, and a Brass Band.
On New Years Day of 1872 a Festival of Musical Competition called “The Ivander Eisteddfod” was held, which was so successfully another was held the following year.
The English residents of the town started to take interest and the Festival was moved across the river into the main part of the town. During this period the interest in the Eisteddfod grew, and it was subsequently renamed “The Cumberland Musical Festival and Ivander Eisteddfod”. This continued until the outbreak of the First World War, when all such activities ceased.
After the war a new committee was formed to re-establish the Festival, which could no longer be called “The Cumberland Musical Festival and Ivander Eisteddfod” as other towns in Cumberland (e.g., Carlisle) had also started their own Festivals in the meantime.
It was renamed to the “Workington Musical Festival”, and is still going in this form today, albeit with short breaks for World War Two and the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 1982 the BBC made a film on the life and work of Ivander in Wales and Workington which was shown on Channel 4 Wales. Dr Geraint Gruffydd, then librarian of the National Library of Wales requested information on the festival which was forwarded and displayed in the National Library of Wales.
Notable People Who Have Played Their Part in the Life of the Festival
In 1938, Kathleen Ferrier (Kathleen Wilson) won the principal trophy the “Williams Gold Cup” for adult soloists prior to commencing her renowned singing career.
Joan Rodgers C.B.E. competed as a young woman. She is a renowned soprano who has performed at all of the major UK opera houses, and also at major venues around the world.
Sam Haywood, a former finalist in BBC Young Musician of the Year, won many trophies for his piano playing at the Festival.
Kathryn McGuckin, 3 times winner of the “Williams Gold Cup”, is a member of Opera North.
Ian Porthouse, who went on to conduct Brass Bands including the Pennine Brass Band.
We are also delighted at the success of many of our Dancers who have gone onto further training and now work professionally in areas of Musical Theatre and Cabaret, appearing throughout the country including the West End, and also internationally. If you have been on a cruise you may have been lucky enough to see some of our past performers entertaining you in the theatres on board.
A number of our Dancers have continued their training and since become teachers, bringing their skills back to the area to train the next generation.
Festival Syllabus
The content of the Festival covers Music: Voice, Piano, Instrumental, and Speech: Verse, Bible Reading, Reading at Sight, Prepared Speech to name a few.
40+ years ago we introduced a Dance Section which has proved very successful attracting in dancers from many other regions of England and Scotland. We are proud to Host IDTA Miss Dance of Workington where the winner goes to Grand Finals to compete for the prestigious IDTA Miss Dance Title. We are also proud to have been awarded TDCI Junior and Senior Cumbria Championships.