ORGANISERS of the Wargrave Festival have promised something for everyone this summer.
The 19 day-long programme of events returns to take over the village for a summer of love, after a last year’s event was postponed due to covid.
“The summer of love theme for the festival was held over from last year,” explains Ally Holloway, one of the festival organisers.
“We wanted to give people something to look forward to and celebrate being able to get back together.
“It’s been a long time coming — it’s a huge deal in Wargrave and everyone is very excited.”
Wargrave Festival opens on Wednesday, June 8 with Shakespeare on the Green and concludes on Sunday, June 26, with the BBO Big Band Show.
A committee of 18 volunteers from Wargrave and surrounding villages have 35 other events planned for the festival.
They include an expanded literary offering, which has attracted renowned children’s author Nick Butterworth, Reading-based crime writer Will Carver and novelist Amanda Jennings, who is a Wargrave resident. She will be launching her new book at the festival.
Ally says that the festival committee is always looking to add new events to the programme, so that there is something to suit everyone and keep people coming back.
“We’re running a Bike Fest day this year for the first time, which has a whole range of activities on Mill Green for the family to enjoy, and some organised rides into the Chilterns,” she says.
“There is a Wargrave in Style event, about interior and garden design, the St Martins in the Field orchestra are playing again and we have talks by the Wargrave Local History Society.”
Other sessions in the festival’s packed and varied schedule include an African drumming workshop, Pub on the Green, a gin tasting evening, a baby and toddler morning, open gardens, a festival parade and performances by jazz and brass bands.
“All this doesn’t include Ticket Day, which is an occasion in it’s own right,” adds team member Ally Holloway.
“It’s a tradition that people turn out to queue from the early hours of the morning, and big events such as the ball and Crazies Hill comedy night always sell out on the day.
“It’s part of the whole festival experience.”
Wargrave Festival is a not-for-profit organisation. Ally explains that it is important that it remains true to the festival’s community roots.
“It is platform for societies in village — like Wargrave Theatre Workshop, the history society and schools — to run big stage events which they would not ordinarily have the opportunity to do.
“It’s worth all the effort of planning.”
Ticket Day is on Saturday, April 2. They will go on sale online on Sunday, April 3.
Events will be held in a multiple indoor and outdoor locations across the village.
Prices vary, with tickets to most events costing between £8 and £20.
Some are free or £1 donation, and tickets to the all-inclusive ball cost £80.
For more information, visit: wargravefestival.org.uk
