Thatcham Festival of Arts & Leisure 2011
Saturday 8th October – Sunday 16th October
The 11th annual Thatcham Festival of Arts & Leisure drew to a close on Sunday evening with a performance of Purcell’s early English opera Dido & Aeneas. Donations made at Festival events have raised over £700 for the Thatcham Town Mayor’s charities: 14:21 Time to Talk, Newbury & Thatcham Branch of Parkinsons UK and Thatcham Relief in Need, and money is still coming in.
The Thatcham Festival of Arts & Leisure aims to showcase the many talents that residents have and highlight the wide range of activities available in the town. At the same time the majority of events are free of charge to the public and with thousands of people attending over 60 free events in 9 days the Festival is as popular today as it was when it started as a 2 day event.
Highlights of the 2011 Festival included the newly introduced Festival Food Fair in the Parish Hall which is set to return in 2012; a scarecrow competition at Henley’s Allotments; tea dancing and line dancing; a number of local history talks and walks; bird walks; concerts from Watership Cantabile, Benham Band, Cold Ash Brass and Charles Spicer & Mark T; KATS performing a second amusing radio play; St John Ambulance Cadets winning the uniformed youth quiz; a hugely popular adult team quiz; 2 sessions with local authors at the Family Bookshop and word wizardry fun for children with Andy Newbound at Thatcham Library.
The Festival website www.thatchamfestival.info hosts numerous images taken at events, copies are available by contacting Thatcham Town Council or the individual photographer.
