Successful first week for Wargrave Festival
The bi-annual event is once again seeing sellout shows. GEMMA DAVIDSON finds out why – and sees what’s coming up this week
THE FIRST week of Wargrave Festival got off to a hugely successful start with many sell-out events taking place. The festival kicked off with a dose of theatre on Wednesday, June 6, with a performance of The Merchant of Venice by Wargrave Theatre, swiftly followed by children’s show A Spoonful of Sugar on Thursday until Saturday.
Jane Jordan, who arranged the children’s show said: “We had four very successful performances which were very well received.
“We had excellent audiences for a children’s show, with lots of people saying it was our best festival production yet.
“Stand out moments were the penguin waiters and cheery chimney sweeps. Mary Poppins, played by
Chloe Kendal, and Mr Banks, played by Sophie Errington, gave outstanding, characterful performances, but the whole cast, who are aged between eight and 13, really rose to the occasion in some challenging weather conditions at times.”
Friday night also saw the return of Folk Night at Woodclyffe Hall. A total of 92 people packed out the hall for what was described by resident Jim Hadden as a ‘cracking’ night of music.
Mr Hadden said: “In homage to the recent loss of Peter Sallis it has to be said that we had a crackin’ Folk Night in the Woodclyffe Hall. We were royally entertained by Mad Jocks and Englishmen, their performances of traditional folk music mixed with more modern material, plus their ability to make us roar with laughter had us captivated.
“The highlights for me were great renditions of the traditional Whisky in the Jar, The Boxer, American Pie, and terrific individual instrumental skills demonstrated during Duelling Banjos which brought the house down.
“We were even given a light workout to the tune of The Grand Old Duke of York.
“Our grateful thanks go to Jane and Bob Austen who masterminded the evening, the many chefs who provided the food and Steve and Lesley Turville who ran the bar.”
An Historic Walk around Wargrave kept festival-goers occupied on Sunday afternoon, giving visitors a chance to find out more about the village’s colourful past.
Organiser Peter Delaney said:
“The event was a sell out – again! The weather was fine and dry, and not too hot, for a gentle stroll around the village.
“The walkers ranged from junior school age to senior citizens. We made our way around Mill Green, the Churchyard, Church Street and the High Street, hearing about people, buildings and episodes from over 900 years of Wargrave’s history as they went.
“It seemed to be very well received – participants applauding and thanking the guides at the end of the afternoon – and asking some interesting questions on the way round.”
Brass on the Grass was another popular event which saw 500 people take advantage of the warm summer evening on Sunday.
Organiser Verna Houghton said: “The sun shone and everyone relaxed and enjoyed picnics on the banks of the river as music from Bracknell and Wokingham Community Band drifted over the gardens and water.
“The Band was superb, playing popular renderings of well-known songs and light classical music to the obvious enjoyment of their audience.
“A particular favourite was music from Star Wars, which so aptly fitted the theme of this year’s village festival, ‘Out of this World’, and for which the band has recently received an ‘outstanding’ award and gold medal at the Woodley Festival.
“This is the 31st time Brass on the Grass has been held at Wargrave Court. It has become an increasingly popular community event, an opportunity to meet up with old friends and new and particularly welcomed by families moving into the neighbourhood.
“All proceeds are donated to Tearfund, a Christian charity working to bring aid to the most disadvantaged people in the world.
“Help is channelled directly through local churches where needed to relieve hunger and suffering, and communities are taught to farm and to learn skills which enable them to support themselves and defeat poverty. Attractive crafts were selling well at the Traidcraft stall, and refreshments and ice creams were very popular.”
The second week of the festival is now in full flow, with plenty more events coming up to suit all tastes.
For more information on all the events and to book tickets visit www. wargravefestival.co.uk or search Facebook for Wargrave Festival