The Festival launch on Sunday June 7 unveiled a programme of events that promised lively entertainment across the whole arts spectrum. Alison Moncrieff-Kelly led off with the classical music offering, highlighting glittering guest artists such as Tasmin Little with Martin Roscoe, Roderick Williams with Iain Burnside and Emma Kirkby, amongst other famous and up-and-coming names in the world of classical music. Alisdair Kitchen followed, introducing a light-hearted film sequence with the title ‘Follow my Lieder’.
John Case presented Books and Talks, with heavyweights such as historian Max Hastings on the Dam Busters story, Adam Nicholson on the making of poetry and David Owen on what led up to Donald Trump. Along with these comes an array of talented authors, including crime-writers, biographers and wildlife gardeners.
Niki Stuart put together the Theatre and Film programme, drawing in part on local artistic and amdram talent. She gave a sense of the fun in store, as did Michael Prince who introduced the Contemporary and not so contemporary jazz scene, not all artists being associated with his native Yorkshire. Exhibitions and Walks and Tours round out this feast of culture to suit all tastes.
The lively enthusiasm of the events organisers was communicated vividly to the full audience of festival members present. They were buoyed up by the pre-launch ticket sales, introduced this year, which indicated a good level of ready support. Michael Eve, who leads the festival organising committee, was warmly thanked by the chair of trustees, Guy Fraser-Sampson and praised for his sterling achievement of fund-raising some £28,000 in support of the Festival.
The Festival runs from Friday September 13 to Sunday September 29. Priority online and postal booking is from Monday July 8 for benefactors and friends, followed by general sales from Monday July 22. Box office is c/o Phillips and Stubbs at 47/49 Cinque Ports Street (Tel: 01797 224442) or visit the Festival website
Image Credits: Kenneth Bird .