YOUNG people of Launceston and surrounding areas joined together last week in an afternoon and evening of singing and dancing at ‘Mayor Margaret’s Unusual Ball’.

It was organised by mayor Cllr Margaret Young, with assistance from town council staff including Kate Stark, and Beth Lewitt, who used to organise Castle Rock, and who secured the main headliners — Rosie Crow, formerly of Rosie and the Goldbug, Nuclear Milk and WAXX.

Cllr Young was thrilled with how the event went and raising more than £1,000 for the mayor’s charities — Scouts and Guides — with an amount also going to Launceston Youth Project.

She said: “It was what I would say a feast of Launceston young people’s talent. There was much dancing and merriment — people who couldn’t come missed a treat.”

In the afternoon, primary school pupils filled the hall for singing, dancing, poetry and even drum solos — from Stan, Zinzan and Oscar — whose drum solo of Led Zeppelin accompanied on cello and piano was said to be a highlight of the afternoon.

Cllr Young said: “The schools who were involved were fantastic,” — these included St Stephens, Coads Green and Lewtrenchard whose choirs performed, as well as McQueen’s Theatre School. McQueen’s performed a flashmob, ballet, tap dance, singing as a quartet.

Cllr Rob Tremain was on hand in his role as town crier to entertain the youngsters.

‘Big Beats’ Samba workshop got everyone to join in, and a three-piece acoustic guitar group and drama club were also on hand to entertain.

There were spoken word performances from Paris Wallace, Natasha Thompson, Lucas Davet, and Lilly Ann Maudsley, Elsie Vivian and Andreea Bulboaca, and Minne Jacobs, Grace Lord and Alicia Foster.

Chloe Smith, Primrose and Maddy all gave solo singing performances, and Elsie gave a three minute keyboard solo of her own composition. Chloe Edwards sang, accompanied by musicians and a beat boxer.

The Launceston College band played, local singers wowed the audience, and Craig Chapman was compere for the evening, with the main acts, kicking off with the band The Moment, keeping the party going until midnight.

Cllr Young, previously a teacher and assistant head at Launceston College, has taught many who have gone on to win widespread acclaim — including Rosie Crow, Lee Matthews of WAXX and Mike Osborne of Nuclear Milk.

Cllr Young took Craig Chapman, who was introduced as lead hairstylist for TV show The Voice UK, camping when he was 12.

Other former students of Margaret’s may not have been able to be there in person, but there was a message from Helen Nash, the cellist for the electric string quartet Escala, and clips of music from Simon Dobson and The Langsfords.

Cllr Young added: “I had some lovely things said so it was really quite a special evening. We had a super time.”

Represented around the room were: Launceston Youth Project, Scouts and Guides, Duke of Edinburgh Awards, Launceston Rotary Club, Launceston Library Lego Club, Ceramic Artist Barbara Akroyd, Smiley Happy People, Charles Causley Trust.

Thanks were extended to Kari Gilbert, Racheal Oles, Rob Strike, Beth Lewitt, Event Services South West Ltd, and volunteers in the kitchen, bar and on the door, who helped to make the event a success.