Festival Saturday Events

Our theme of “something for everyone” is reflected in the programme of events for Festival Saturday.

The programme of events in the Mortimer Gardens (All times are approximate):

9.45 Ruskin Mill Singers - An uplifting medley of songs from this popular local choir
10.15 Jax Dance - Your feet will be tapping to this fun and funky Hip Hop dance group
10.45 Punch and Judy - An old traditional story that we all love to watch. Oh yes we do
11.15 Stroud Samba Band - We can't resist this wonderful Brazilian carnival sound
11.45 Frantix - (juggling music etc) Brilliant clowning, juggling and, hold your breath, stilt walking
12.15 Jazz, Jive, Swing - This talented group of dancers show us how it should be done
12.45 Frantix - Here they come again - hold your breath
1.15 Stroud Samba Band - Another chance to get into the South American carnival mood
1.45 Punch and Judy - That puppet pair and their friends entertain us once more
2.15 The Strollers - Join in the olde tyme melodies of the Music Hall with our Edwardian singers
2.45 Silver Band - Nailsworth Training Silver Band give us a rousing end to our afternoon

Nailsworth Community Workshop
Nailsworth Boys’ Club, Bath Road, 11.00am - 3.00pm
Come and make a copper bracelet from recycled copper at the Nailsworth Community Workshop or just come along and see what’s going on. Cost of each session is £2 and will last about an hour. Phone to book a place on 0797 1737 626

Plant a Pot at Paint a Pot!
Paint a Pot, Cossack Square, £1 on the door, free refreshments. Flower pot decorating workshop , each pot planted with seeds for you to grow.
All proceeds go to Nailsworth Festival.

The 1st Nailsworth Poetry Slam

You are invited to an exciting evening of entertainment as 15 poets perform their poetry in a knock-out competition over three rounds. There will be fun and laughter and audience participation in the decision as to which poets go through to the next round to read another poem and which poet is finally crowned the winner of the 1st Nailsworth Poetry Slam. The evening is hosted by Marcus Moore and Sara-Jane Arbury who will ensure that justice is done and that a good time is had by all. If you love poetry, if you love drama, if you want to have a great evening don’t miss it.

£5

Booking details to be confirmed

'Diverse Six'

A collection of intriguing artwork from a group of established local women artists: Arabella Lewis, Jane Fisher, Imogen Harvey-Lewis, Penny Payne, Carolyn Galloway, Caroline Payne.

The Woodchester Photography Group Exhibition

The exhibition contains photographs of the River Severn from Gloucester Docks to Aust and the Old Severn Bridge. Locations included Elmore, Upper Framilode, Frampton on Severn, Fretherne, Purton, Sharpness and Lydney. Those exhibiting are Judy Bill, Jenny Bircher, Anne Dinham, Colin Evitt, Libby Graesser, Andy Marsden, Ian Peters, Maggie Slader and Val Thomas. There will be an opportunity to buy cards and prints, either framed or unframed.

Storywalk: Tales from the track

Step back in time and enjoy an enthralling storywalk along the beautiful Horsley valley. As you drink in the peace and tranquillity of today’s landscape, local storyteller Fiona Eadie will treat you to a beguiling tale set in the valley 200 years ago. Along the way, there will be three 10-minute interludes to hear the story in instalments. Fiona will then accompany all those who wish to return to Ruskin Mill on foot. The whole journey will last approximately 1.5 hours.

£3 adults,
£1.50 children

Booking essential as numbers are limited. To book please contact Ruskin Mill 01453 837537

The Finzi Quartet

Following their recent debuts at both the Purcell Room and the Wigmore Hall, we are delighted to welcome the Finzi Quartet to Nailsworth. This acclaimed group of young musicians started out at the Royal Northern College of Music and they are fast building a reputation for themselves across Britain and Europe. Their programme includes Romance by Gerald Finzi in an arrangement which they, themselves, premièred in 2009, as well as works by Britten, Debussy and Mozart.

Exquisite musicality…I have never heard such polished playing of any quartet at this exceptionally early stage of their careers. – Dr Jill White, ex-director of the National Youth Orchestra and BBC Producer

£12

Booking details to be confirmed

"Here is the weather forecast" with Richard Angwin

Richard Angwin is well known to anyone who watches the local BBC news coverage. His talk will give insights into the world of weather forecasting. He will be willing to answer questions on all aspects of weather, particularly in relation to this region. So if you’re interested in how climate change might impact on Nailsworth, come along and find out.

£5

Booking details to be confirmed

Chris Wood Singer of the Year and Best Album BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2009

Chris Wood is an uncompromising writer whose music reveals his love for the un-official history of the English speaking people. With gentle intelligence he weaves the tradition with his own contemporary parables. In a warm, dark brown voice with sparse, minimalist accompaniment, Wood is an intimate storyteller, applying such nuance and gravitas to every phrase you are imperceptibly lured into his world…. he seamlessly knits the spirit of the tradition into his very contemporary parables. And it's magnificent.

£15

Bristol Gasworks Singers

The Gasworks Singers are an offshoot of the huge 160-strong Gasworks Community Choir of Bristol. This smaller group of 35 enthusiastic singers meet in addition to choir practice, to hone up their favourite songs to sing at charity events and festivals over the summer and autumn period. They will entrance you with an acappella mix of pop, world, folk, classical, jazz.... many of which are arranged by their conductor Dee Jarlett. You will hear Elton John, Simon and Garfunkel, and maybe an African or Bulgarian folk song and a classical piece. They deliver with passion and enjoyment. A very entertaining evening.

£5

Booking details to be confirmed

Light in Africa

Ruskin Mill pottery tutor Sam Mukumba is initiating a project to fundraise for solar panels to provide light at the Dewe village school in Uganda. Children from Nailsworth and Horsley primary schools will open their exhibition of clay models of African houses at 6pm in Horsley Church before Sam's presentation on the Dewe project at 7pm.

All donations will go towards funding the solar panels. www.deweschoolofart.com

(Exhibition open Friday 28th May to Saturday 29th May, 9am to 4pm)

Entry free.

‘Light and Shade’

Enjoy an evening of double drama - two contrasting one-act plays, performed by the Nailsworth Dramatic Society

The Proposal by Anton Chekhov
Anton Chekhov, better known, perhaps, for his three major works - The Cherry Orchard, The Three Sisters and Uncle Vanya - was also a prolific writer of humorous sketches in which he explores the maddening absurdities and relentless frustrations of everyday life. "The Proposal" depicts the trauma of a would-be suitor and the anxiety of a neighbouring landowner with a daughter of a "certain age". The ensuing wrangle over property does not bode well for a long and joyful union.

Can you Hear the Music? by David Campton
Everyone has their dream, whether it be for applause from an audience; long, cool, iced drinks; safety from the world or a life among the titled rich. And this is no exception for the six mice living in the loft. But their dreams are conjured up by music as each hears a different tune and has to answer his call.

£7

Booking details to be confirmed

Craft Morning: A fun session for all the family

Come along for the whole morning or just call in for a short time to see what is going on and perhaps join in. We will be working on a group project to display in the church and there will be related activities to take part in. You could make something exciting to take home (Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult).

Free

Croc 'n' Roll

FREE Musical Fun for children aged 6mths to 5yrs.

Free

To book call Stephanie Urquhart on 07957 235413

Kasaï Masaï

They’re back! The popular Kasaï Masaï band returns to the Nailsworth Festival, bringing the traditional sound of remote equatorial villages with a jazzy edge. Come and feel the African beat pumping through you, sending your feet flying and your soul soaring.

Bar

£12

Booking details to be confirmed

Ruskin Mill Craft Workshops

All day workshops: basket making; stained glass; stone carving; wood carving, felt jewellery. 2 hour workshops: jewellery; leatherwork; Iron Age forge; felting for children.

Booking essential, as numbers are limited. To book please contact Ruskin Mill 01453 837537

Festival Walk with the Poets

Mike Brinkworth, Dave Walton and Alan Bulley will lead our traditional Festival walk with pauses to hear poems from four Gloucestershire poets.

Length 3½ - 4 miles, allow 2½ hours. Stout footwear recommended