STUDENTS from the English School of Mongolia brought energy and colour to Launceston to Town Square on a dull and windy Tuesday afternoon, on June 6.

Traditional costume and music stopped shoppers in their tracks. This was followed by displays of contemporary dance by the students. ‘Never seen anything like this before in Launceston’, said one onlooker.

Later that evening, the students performed Tchaikovsky’s opera Eugene Onegin, an updated adaptation called Hectror McDonald, to a seven piece orchestra in the Town Hall.

All part of the Charles Causley Festival which saw 42 events and six exhibitions crammed into 10 days.

The festival started with a talk on the Cornish Gorsedh, and later that evening a full house in the town hall to see the Fisherman’s Friends.

Just to mention a few of the activities that took place, throughout the festival there was music, film, guided walks, workshops, theatre from LADS, poetry from Philip Gross and Robb Barratt, literature from Michael Jecks, comedy from Murray Lachlan Young, children’s events, talks on Charles Causley’s life with readings of his poetry and his interest in music.

Several of the events were sold out in advance and others had full houses on the day.

The final event of the festival was journalist and BBC news presenter George Alagiah talking about his life and work — see the full report, page 9.

Festival chairman, Spencer Magill, said: “All in all a packed programme of events led to a wonderful festival and delighted the hundreds who attended.”