Cheshire Show organisers strive to offers all sorts of entertainment for when visitors have had their fill of everything farming.  

This year was no exception, and a schoolgirl from Knutsford with her ukulele proved it's often the simple things which have the greatest impact. 

Multi-instrumentalist and singer, Elise Higham, took her place on the Village Green stage on June 18 and 19 to entertain the crowds with a mix of original songs and covers from some of her own favourite artists. 

The 14-year-old, who also played Knutsford Music Festival earlier this month, was named best vocalist in the East Cheshire Young Musician of the Year competition in January.

The Cheshire Show gig was a great booking for the Knutsford Academy student, which proved to be a different kind of performing experience for her, and a bit of a learning curve. 

Elsie said: “It was definitely my biggest gig so far.  

“It was interesting as it was broad daylight, and I could see the audience a lot better.  

Elise plays ukulele and piano when performing, but has recently started learning guitar tooElise plays ukulele and piano when performing, but has recently started learning guitar too (Image: Newsquest)

“I’m used to performing on stages in dark rooms with stage light, so you can’t see a thing.

“I was lovely to get a sense of who was watching me. It was daunting at first, but I came to like it. At the end of the day, you’re trying to connect with people.

“I was delighted with the response. I think I played the right songs. I stuck to my set list, but I mixed up the order and just did what I felt was right in the moment.

“My family got some great videos. As a singer, it’s really easy to over-criticise each performance. But when you see or hear yourself played back and you think ‘oh, that’s not bad at all’, it’s pretty rewarding.

“If I took one thing away from it to build on, I think I realised the importance of having that energy between songs when you’re talking to the audience.

“Your personality has to be there when you sing, of course, but it’s just as important when you’re onstage just being yourself.”

But it wasn’t all work for the talented schoolgirl star.

“We stuck around after my show on Tuesday,” she added.

“My sister came with her baby, who’s only one, so we went around and looked at all the animals. He was very into them. There’s so much variety.

“Then on Wednesday, I hung around to see some of the other acts, but I’m in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at school, so I had to shoot off for rehearsals 3pm to 6pm.

“It really is all go at the moment.”