The annual Let Me Shine music festival
made its return to Prior's Court on the
May Day Bank Holiday with a stunning
day of music and fun enjoyed by our
young people and their families, as well
as staff members and their families.
The festival was opened
by a procession from
Reading Scottish
Pipe Band, followed
by performances
from Daydream
Collective, Luminaria,
Limpopo Groove, Ryan
O'Donoghue, and DJ
Manny. There was also
a special appearance by
Dave Benson-Phillips.
Prior's Court Band - featuring young people Ben,
Kayleigh, Ricardo, James, Brandon, and Jamie on the
drums, and musician staff members Tim Gilks and
Bonfils Nikiza- performed a beautiful rendition of Let
Me Shine, our 'anthem for autism', accompanied by
guest singer Daisy-Mae Housego.
A bouncy castle and giant inflatable slide were also
on offer, with performers from Fandangoes, who
support with the organisation of this event, roaming
the festival site. Elsewhere
around the festival, there
were also spaces for a
chillout zone, face painting,
a tombola, and, for the first
year, a specific space for the
siblings of our young people
to go and talk to other siblings
about their experiences. Not even
a brief downpour could dampen the
festival atmosphere!
Young adult Rowan also returned to the stage
this year to sing his solo rendition of Getting to
Know You accompanied by housemate Jamie on
the drums. Rowan finds unusual situations anxietyinducing
so his performance on stage in front of a
crowd is an amazing achievement for him.
The Let Me Shine festival
allows our young people to
access the experience of a
music festival experience
somewhere safe and
familiar, enabling them
to access something
they might otherwise
be unable to, as well
as bringing together
the wider Prior's Court
community.
Festival thrills on May Day