For the first time since Covid, Frensham Heights School opened its doors to the Farnham community and a full audience saw Taiko Meantime kick off the first Surrey and Hampshire Taiko Youth Festival.

Taiko is traditional Japanese drumming from temples and shrines performed in theatres and at religious festivals and is a dynamic mix of music, martial arts, performance and drama.

The performance was a culmination of workshops hosted by the schools’ outreach and enrichment programme for pupils and staff from Frensham Heights and Bordon Junior School.

They were joined by established Taiko Meantime groups from Potter’s Gate and Weydon schools.

The workshops began as a way for Frensham to reach out into the community to share the school’s love of performing arts.

Frensham Heights teacher Lynn Goodburne, who heads the outreach project, said: “We are very passionate about getting our students involved with the communities around us and sharing our amazing facilities.

“We feel this is a wonderful way to bring youngsters together.

“It promotes learning across different platforms and most importantly it’s lots of fun.”

The energetic workshops were run by Mark Alcock from Taiko Meantime.

Mark first learned Taiko drumming when living in the Wakayama prefecture in southern Japan.

After just two hour-long sessions, the Frensham Heights and Bordon Junior schools were confident and able to perform on the Aldridge stage.

Mr Alcock said: “I am really happy to bring the power, discipline, joy and fun of Taiko drumming to schools outside of the immediate Farnham area.

“And also happy to be back at Frensham Heights, who have always been hugely supportive.”

Lynn and Mark see Farnham as a Taiko hub for Surrey and Hampshire schools.

For details email Mark at [email protected]