30/06/2026
Festival bookings - and other news!
Thank you so much for sending in your wishlists! So far we have had 98 Workshop sheets and 59 TEC (Talks Events and Concerts) sheets. 48% of Workshop places have been requested. Keep them coming! Peter is entering all data as soon as we receive it, ready for the ‘first pass’ period allocation followed by ticket and places issuing on Sunday 19th July. After that - just give the Box Office phone a buzz and they’ll book you in.
Workshop leaders - we will contact you in a few weeks to let you know how your bookings are looking.
Lantern Making.
I’ve added an additional date for this:
Saturday 1st August. 2 sessions: 10am and 2:30pm.
Contact me if you would like to book or know more.
I’ll focus on our opening day, the Market, drop ins and the Finale in my next mail.
Here’s a precis of our TEC for you. (booking needed so we know how many to expect)
CONCERTS AND EVENTS PROGRAMME
SATURDAY 22nd
E1. 7:30: Shalidh. The Drawing Board. Village Hall
Time to dance! A relaxed evening of sea shanty inspired dancing laughing and a joyous start the Festival. ‘The Drawing Board’ have a bunch of fabulous tunes to leap around to.
SUNDAY 23rd
E2.7pm. Unravelling Twins. Village Hall
Anna and George, enthusiastic humans and long time letter writers, are on a mission to find humour in the small wins, the mundane, and the darker moments of life. Featuring scenes from their new play and the chance to hear letters from locals (that means you if you wish - more details of that when you book).
MONDAY 24th
C1.1pm. The Arpegionne and the Swan. Methodist Church. A fabulous cello and piano recital featuring Schubert’s Arpegionne sonata, Sant-Saens The Swan and other cello music. Performed by Jennie Appleyard, with Ruth Owens on piano.
TUESDAY 25th
E3. 7.30. Drama Shorts. Village Hall
A classic fun evening brought to you by Alrewas Dramatic Society. Sketches and musical numbers, brought together for you by the scene stealing stage crew! A guaranteed night of entertainment.
WEDNESDAY 26th
E4. 7pm. One Love 2: All Saints Church.
A magical and relaxed mix of music, words, poetry in a top atmospheric venue featuring: Donna and Dave, The Alicats, Chris Jackson, Suzanne Berry, Ukulele Massive and Jake & Joe music wise (maybe more?). June B, Lorna L, Sam J, and Ellen G on words!
THURSDAY 27th
C2. 12:30pm Rossignol Folk Trio. Methodist Church
Multi-instrumentalists Alan Wylie, Jane Hinks and David Barker present material from the rich musical traditions of England, Ireland, Scandinavia, France and Scotland. The band members play an array of instruments, including fiddle, hurdy-gurdy, hammered dulcimer, guitar, diatonic accordion, concertina and will play to a charming story telling Cranky Machine to create a unique performance which is guaranteed to delight.
C3. 7.30pm: Chris Niblock ‘Now and Then'. Cricket Club
Chris is offering a lovely solo set spanning the decades. Expect an of eclectic mix of music song and acoustic guitar. Thanks to the Cricket Club for hosting this concert.
C4. 7:30-9:30pm: Rupert Feld. Kaleidoscope Choir Methodist
Pianist and composer Rupert Feld presents an evening of new and familiar music, Rupert will be joined by Kaleidoscope Choir.
FRIDAY 28th
C5. 1pm: Lunch Concert. Choir with Community Choir. All Saints Church
A wonderful celebration of music and water with the All Saints Community Choir and friends
E5. 7:30pm: Messing About on The River. Village Hall. A relaxed evening of silliness with a watery theme. You know the form; expect to participate in one way or another! 16+
TALKS PROGRAMME
SUNDAY 23rd
T 1. 10 am. Burton Water. Tony Jones. Crown Pub Master brewer Tony offers a fascinating insight into Burtons water cycle, wells, boreholes and aquafer, and how water impacts b**r and brewing. Thanks to the Crown for hosting this talk.
T 2. 3pm. Tim Latham History of Blues. Methodist Church
Where and how did the Blues originate? Tim knows the answer! From its origins in the late 19th Century, learn how it became a huge worldwide and influential musical genre. Tim made a pilgrimage to the US in 2015 inspired by his long held love of the Blues.
MONDAY 24th
T 3. 10am. Steve Lawler. Fusion Energy: Still 30 Years Away, or finally on the path? Methodist Church
Fusion energy has been promised for generations and repeatedly delayed. This, Steve’s Festival 3rd talk cuts through the hype to explain what fusion really is, how it compares to nuclear fission, and why very recent advances suggest that fusion’s long journey may finally be entering a new phase.
T4. 3pm. Peter Ralley. Interpreting Interpretation. Methodist Church
Heritage interpretation is about telling stories in different ways. Peter runs the village Archive and has produced 7 Achive books, the latest of which becomes available in time for the Festival. Peter discusses how he has shared exciting and wide-ranging stories of the past over the last 17 years.
TUESDAY 25th
T 5. 10am. Jane Gravells. He said, she said: how men and women talk. Methodist Church.
It's a compelling idea that the language of men and women is fundamentally different, and that this is the cause of gender misunderstandings. But is this true, and if so, is it due to nature or nurture? Join Jane to explore the facts and myths so you can continue the debate at home!
T6. 2pm. Mike Taylor . Our Coppice Woodland. Methodist Church
Mike brings us up to date with his third talk about the work in his ancient coppice woodland. A bright look at life working the woodlands to secure the future of his ancient coppice in Shropshire.
WEDNESDAY 26th
T7. 10am. Phil Swift. What is your Attitude towards Attitude? Methodist Church
Are the benefits of a good attitude comparable to the benefits of a good education? Expect a wide ranging timely and insightful discussion with first time Festival speaker Phil.
T8. 2pm. Liz Vincent and Sue Flint. Writing is a journey! Methodist Church
We are delighted to host a discussion with local authors Liz and Sue. We’ll hear about their passion for reading and writing and their journeys to publishing their work. Liz writes locally based adult fiction and Sue has written children books and is now working on her first novel.
THURSDAY 27th
T9. 10am: Jen Matthewman, Elaine Dolman, Jayne Grundy. 5 Pirate Ducks went swimming one day!
Methodist Church
What makes three women in their 60s don tutus, jump into cold water and fraternise with pirates? Come along for a fun filled, interactive talk which will debunk some of the myths surrounding open water swimming and open your eyes to a whole new world! Tutus not essential!!
T10. 3:30 pm: Paul Thomas. The Road To Ukraine - A Volunteer Group’s Story. Methodist Church
In words and pictures Paul Thomas, the founder of Cumbria Aid Ukraine, will take you through their early response to the invasion and on over the next 4½ years to the creation of an NGO delivering 30 vehicles and tonnes of equipment to civilian groups, hospitals and military medics throughout Ukraine.
FRIDAY 28th
T 11. 10am Steve Bullock. Come Yew on! The music and verse of Allan Smethurst, The Singing Postman.
Methodist Church.
For a few brief years in the 1960s Allan delighted audiences with his songs and poems depicting life in rural East Anglia. His inspiration was the countryside and folk around him as he delivered the mail. Signed to EMI, his “Hev You Got a Loight Boy” reached number 7 in the charts! He was a favourite on Top of the Pops, and Ed Stewart’s ‘Junior Choice’ on Radio 2. In words and music, Steve takes an affectionate look at the life and career of this most unlikely of pop stars.
T12. 2:30pm Mike Skinner. Singin’ the Sea. Methodist Church.
Shanties, songs and stories from the maritime tradition, with plenty of chance to sing along. Supporting the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Other Village events to date
Sunday afternoon. Two Tonik. Crown Inn Garden. Upbeat two tone Ska
Wednesday pm. The Crown Inn Drop in to the Crown for a friendly and informal evening featuring traditional Irish music; jigs, reels and horn pipes.
Friday pm. Suzanne Overton. A Bank Coffeehouse Event. Come and join Singersue for an evening of memorable music at the Bank Coffee House Main St.
Tunes from the American song book and progressing to 60’s 70’s and beyond.
I look forward to seeing you all there.
