By Sarah Robinson

Published at 11:12, Thursday, 17 May 2012

A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER and great-granddaughter have been on a winning streak at this year’s festival.

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There may be 67 years difference between them in age, but Elizabeth and Ellie Simpson were awarded trophies for their top performances in the speech classes.

The pair are celebrating their win and receiving three trophies between them.

Elizabeth, 74, said: “I have competed with [daughter] Anne and [brother] David for many years in the festival for singing. I haven’t entered the speech classes at any festival since I was nine, as after that I concentrated on singing.

“I’m so proud of Ellie entering and winning the trophies. It’s fabulous.”

Elizabeth, who is well-known in the town for her singing and acting, took to the stage on Wednesday evening. She gained 89 marks for her performance of The Ruined Maid by Thomas Hardy and was awarded the NALGO Trophy.

She said: “I have never done the speech classes at Whitehaven Festival before, but I thought I’d give it a go. I was really nervous but once I got on stage I was ok. I just enjoyed it.”

The next day, seven-year-old Ellie scooped the Mandy Crowe Memorial Trophy for reading a section of Horrid Henry’s Homework. She gained 90 marks, which is deemed by the adjudicator Val Chicken as outstanding.

She was also awarded the Judith Warwick Trophy which is awarded to the best all round competitor in speech and drama.

Ellie, who attends St Gregory and St Patrick’s School, has a great interest in reading. She has entered the Whitehaven Musical Festival for the last three years.

Elizabeth said: “Ellie just loves to read and read and read.”

She also has other hobbies including attending Karen Starkey’s School of Theatre Dance.

Elizabeth is currently involved in Copeland Amateur Theatrical Society and Rosehill Players.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk