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Liz Wilkins, TAF's New Artistic Director

Thornbury Arts Festival committee is delighted that Liz Wilkins has taken on the role of Artistic Director. Liz is close to the literary world through her lifelong and now professional interest in books and writers, poets, playwrights and drama. Liz also is a music lover and many will remember husband Mike as a jazz musician and band leader and a very supportive teacher of Thornbury's emerging musical talent. Liz is delighted to be given the opportunity to programme the festival week and says "Barbara Ray will be a hard act to follow after 5 year's experience, but with the support of the committee I am confident we can attract to Thornbury professional performers of the highest calibre and continue to develop new links to community arts and entertainment".

Date

 Time

 Festival Week Events

 Where?

 Friday April 23rd.

"St George's Day Cream Tea"
Traditional St. George's Day Cream Tea
Please book with the individual event organiser.

The Tudor Room
Thornbury Castle

St. George's Day Cream Tea in the Tudor Room

A traditional St George's Day luxury Cream Tea in the sumptuous setting of the Castle's Tudor room.

Date

 Time

 Festival Week Events

 Where?

 Friday April 23rd

"Food for Thought"
A talk by George Alagiah

George Alagiah
Photo© Robin Matthews

GEORGE ALAGIAH represents the reassuring face of the BBC News and is an award winning Foreign Correspondent reporting about the most significant events of the last decade and a half. As a journalist he places vital issues in their true context and frames some of the major moral questions of our time.
Born a Tamil in civil war torn Sri Lanka, brought up in Ghana and educated in Britain, George Alagiah has developed a real vision of a world role for the UK in resolving Third World problems. His talk Food for Thought, is a compelling, round - the - world investigation into the global food chain and why it is approaching breaking point. It uncovers the absurd and explores the controversial!

In a world where a billion people have more than enough and a further billion go hungry Food for Thought will make us think twice about our shopping lists!

George will answer questions at the end of his talk.

Presented in association with Sympathetic Developments.

Date

 Time

 Festival Week Events

 Where?

 Saturday April 24th.

CANCELLATION

A talk on Historical Fiction

REBECCA ABRAHAMS

Thornbury Bookshop
then La Bruschetta

The Fringe event talk by Rebecca Abrams had to be cancelled as the author was unable to return from Israel due to delays in air travel caused by the Volcanic dust from Iceland.

We apologise to the disappointed ticket holders, to Keith Bradford at Thornbury Bookshop and La Bruschetta who were providing the coffee and cake but the cancellation was unavoidable.

All tickets are refundable so please contact Thornbury Bookshop.

Date

 Time

 Festival Week Events

 Where?

Saturday April 24th.

12.00 to 2.00 pm

"A Day of Art Activities" including Bob Baker, Oscar and Bafta award winning scriptwriter of Wallace and Gromit and Dr Who etc.....  

Scriptwriting and Animation
limited to 10 participants aged 14 to 18 years.

Workshops for young people aged from 7 to 14 years

Venue to be advised

BOB BAKER Oscar and Bafta winning scriptwriter for Doctor Who, Wallace and Gromit and the creator of K9 leads a scriptwriting and animation workshop for ages 14 to 18 In the morning.
Free tickets must be obtained as this event can only accommodate 10 young people.

In the afternoon
Workshops for ages 7 to 14 will take place at a site to be advised. No tickets are required but for health and safety reasons numbers will be monitored, so there may be a short wait.

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Date

 Time

 Festival Week Events

Where?

Saturday April 24th.

A scintillating night of poems, great music, comedy and impro - like nothing you've ever seen before!    For audiences aged 7 to 107!

The Ian McMillan Orchestra is a meeting of words and music; a place where poems become songs and songs become stories and stories work their way into your imagination so that you think you knew them all along.
Words and music have always complemented each other; they share the same space, drive the same train, inhabit the same tent....and it's a big tent so let's listen in at the flap: ah yes, words and music....

"without doubt the funniest, quirkiest, sharpest presenter in the business"
Sue Arnold, The Observer
"British music at its most ingenious" The Guardian

Presented in association with UK Touring Agency

Date

 Time

 Festival Week Events

 Where?

"Garden Walk and Talk
Sheiling School, Park Road, Thornbury
Please book with the individual event organiser.

A walk with a guide in the historic garden of Sheiling school followed by refreshments.

Date

 Time

 Festival Week Events

 Where?

"An Afternoon of Music" The Thornbury Orchestra
Conductor Christopher Hill, Leader Janet Lewis

A welcome return to the Festival for the local group of orchestral musicians featuring soloist Rosemary Stoner playing Edward Lalo's Cello Concerto.

The Thornbury Orchestra

The Thornbury Orchestra makes a welcome return to the Festival.
It was founded in 2002 by a group of local amateur musicians who wanted to create an opportunity for enthusiasts to play together and to encourage young talent to gain experience of orchestral playing. Since then they have grown in size and sound so join them for an exciting programme!

Conductor Christopher Hill
Leader Janet Lewis

Jonathan Trim - Monument: Memorial and Celebration
Edward Lalo - Cello Concerto,  Soloist Rosemary Stoner
Prokofiev - Peter and the Wolf,  Narrator Barbie Davies
Malcolm Arnold - Four Cornish Dances

This is a chance for all the family to enjoy this musical treat.

Date

 Time

 Festival Week Events

 Where?

Open University tutor PETER STREET gives an illustrated talk on the growth of our seaside resorts in Victorian times especially looking at the impact of the coming of the railway on holidays and excursions.

We hear about the accommodation, food and clothing associated with the seaside and the various activities enjoyed by visitors.

This promises to be a fascinating look at days gone by.

Date

 Time

 Festival Week Events

 Where?

Monday April 26th

7.30pm
(No interval)

"The Incredible Human Journey"
Dr Alice Roberts
Who are we and where do we come from?

Dr Alice Roberts

From sharing her expertise on Time Team and her many appearances on Coast the local academic Dr ALICE ROBERTS steps out of her television roles to discuss a fascinating subject.

"It's the big question: who are we and where do we come from?" says Dr Roberts. "Science can really tackle that now."

As the presenter of the BBC series The Incredible Human Journey, Dr Roberts, biological anthropologist, travelled the globe to discover the fascinating story of how humans colonised the world.

Through stones, bones and genes the story unfolds.

Dr Roberts will be pleased to answer your questions after her illustrated talk.

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Tuesday April 27th

Marianne North The Victorian Floral Artist
Gina Merrett Smith
An illustrated talk on the travels, paintings and connections of gallery owner Marianne North.

Marianne North

GINA MERRETT SMITH, artist, tutor and nature photographer, gives an illustrated talk on the fascinating Victorian life of Marianne North - her travels, paintings and connections with famous people such as Charles Darwin and Edward Lear.

Over 800 of Marianne's paintings are shown in her gallery at Kew. This gallery was partly designed and decorated by her and has recently been restored to its former glory.

Marianne's final years were spent in the Gloucestershire countryside.

Date

 Time

 Festival Week Events

 Where?

Tuesday April 27th.

"King of India"
A film by Arvind Sinha
An award-winning documentary film following a family of colourful street performers over a six year period.

This documentary film helped win Arvind Sinha the highest and most prestigious award for cinema in India.

A striking, beautifully photographed, poignant story of a family of the 'Nat' community, who traditionally work as street and carnival performers - singers, actors, dancers, acrobats, all rolled into one. We become the invisible but respectful observers of this family saga, filmed over a six year period.

Ratan Singh and his wife Radha and their children (all named after Bollywood films) struggle to support themselves in the midst of a rapidly changing India.

Follow these performers down Kolkata's colourful and chaotic streets.

Date

 Time

 Festival Week Events

 Where?

Tuesday April 27th.

"Vice or Virtue?"
Storytelling by Philip & Jerry
Please book with the individual event organiser.

Philip & Jerry at Blend

Date

 Time

 Festival Week Events

 Where?

"Musica Mundi"

"Music from the drawing rooms and pleasure gardens of Georgian London".

Musica Mundi

Songs and instrumental music performed at Vauxhall Gardens to admiring audiences and in elegant London salons. Includes music by Handel, Arne (composer of Rule Britannia) and others

The performers are Clare Griffel, Heather Gibbard and David Griffel.
Clare specialises in the pre-classical repertoire, Heather studied baroque cello and performs both as soloist and continuo player. David plays the harpsichord and has appeared widely as soloist and ensemble player.

Date

 Time

 Festival Week Events

 Where?

Wednesday April 28th

"The Sociable Plover"
Ronnie Toms and Guy Masterson
Tim Whitnall's 2009 Edinburgh Festival hit set in a hide on the Suffolk marshes. A must-see treat.

Ronnie Toms & Guy Masterson in
The Sociable Plover

TWO BLOKES, ONE BIRD .....BIG TROUBLE
- a multiple 5 star reviewed show at the Edinburgh Festival 2009!

Picture the scene, a birdwatcher's hide on the Suffolk marshes and a character hovers on the brink of birdwatching greatness.....today might be the day to spot the elusive and last of the 567 native British birds.....suddenly a stranger arrives.....

Thereafter follows a play; a dark, tense thriller at one point and an exquisitely balanced black comedy the next. A must see!

"Masterson and Toms make a terrific team in a terrifically dark and suspenseful play. Definitely not just for birdwatchers!" Terri Paddock, What's On Stage.

Presented in association with Theatre Tours International Ltd.

Date

 Time

 Festival Week Events

 Where?

Thursday April 29th.

Produce of Bramley & Gage

Thornbury based Bramley and Gage Ltd, run by brother and sister Michael Kain and Felicity Hall, produces some of the best fruit liqueurs in the world.

Their organic sloe gin in particular has won many awards and is still made by hand using a family recipe. Michael's father Edward explains the origins of the business and the production process.

We then have an opportunity to taste some of their exquisite nectar!

Date

 Time

 Festival Week Events

 Where?

"Jenner of Berkeley, Fewster of Thornbury
& the defeat of Smallpox"
Prof Gareth Williams
Prof.Williams takes us through the elimination of smallpox founded on the observations of two local doctors.

Prof. Gareth Williams

Apart from his medical background Professor GARETH WILLIAMS writes novels and plays jazz but join him today to explore an amazing, world-changing, locally connected, human story!

Did you know that in the 18th century a medical dining club met at The Ship Inn on Alveston Hill and two of its members were a Dr Edward Jenner and a Dr John Fewster? Both characters became part of the intriguing development of the smallpox vaccine. The story of smallpox itself has its gruesome moments but is also one of the most uplifting in the history of medicine.

"Angel of Death" the story of the defeat of smallpox is soon to be published.
Click for preview of the book cover (pdf format)
or listen to the BMJ's Variolae vaccina podcast
or View petition to restore Jenner's statue to Trafalgar Square.

Exterminated, exterminated! 2010 is the 30th anniversary of the eradication of smallpox - the only disease ever to have been defeated by a public health campaign.

A BBC documentary featuring Professor Williams is being televised this year.

Date

 Time

 Festival Week Events

 Where?

 Thursday April 29th

Acoustic Jazz and Vocalist
Please book with the individual event organiser.

Date

 Time

 Festival Week Events

 Where?

 Thursday April 29th.

Free entry

"Folk Music Jam session"
Please book with the individual event organiser.

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Date

 Time

 Festival Week Events

 Where?

 Friday April 30th

Averil Kear

In this illustrated talk AVERIL KEAR formerly Archives Assistant at Gloucester Archives introduces us to the main methods and sources for researching the history of buildings. This includes maps, plans, deeds, census returns and sales particulars as well as the main archive, library and internet resources.

This is your chance to find out what weird and wonderful stories your house could be
hiding! Research will be based on the history of a building in Thornbury - the property remains Averil's secret!

Date

 Time

 Festival Week Events

 Where?

"These are a Few of my Favourite Things"
SRISHTI
Nina Rajarani's dance company perform a selection of their best loved work combining classical Indian forms within contemporary contexts.

SRISHTI

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS

Nina Rajarani Artistic Director
Y Yadavan Composer
Stuart Walton Technical Manager
Sato Tuomisto Filmmaker

Lads' culture, cut-throat business world, east meets west - all are energetically explored in this exciting, surprising and unusual production!
Nina Rajarani, recently awarded an MB for her services to South Asian Dance, brings her dance company to perform a selection of their best loved work.
Combining the authenticity of Indian classical dance and music in innovative ways and within contemporary contexts they perform:

Shringara - A stark exploration of love and romance.
Bend it... let's play football! They tackle, shoot, fake injury and score a goal!
Quick! Won the Place Prize and is based on London businessmen racing against time.

"Rajarani's take on classical Indian dance is invigorating" The Times

Photograph Chris Nash

Date

 Time

 Festival Week Events

 Where?

 Saturday May 1st

"The Fisherman"
Storybox Theater
Rod Burnett presents Grimm's tale about the folly of Greed in a 50 min glove puppet show.

Suitable for 4-11 year-olds (and adults of all ages)

Fishy?

ROD BURNETT brings his enchanting and highly acclaimed production of this ancient Grimm's tale of the folly of greed to delight and enthral children and adults alike!

The characters of The Fisherman, Isabill his wife and The Fish spring to life in the form of glove puppets with beautifully carved heads.  A magic fish who can grant wishes, a busy fisherman and a wife who always wants just one thing more and wonderful storytelling!

This 50 minute performance will captivate the imagination and linger forever in the memory!   For children ages 4-11 (and adults of any age!)

Date

 Time

 Festival Week Events

 Where?

Saturday May 1st

8.00 pm

"Claire Martin and her Musicians"

Claire, voted the Best Vocalist in the British Jazz Awards for the sixth time, returns to Thornbury following her 2006 appearance with Girl Talk.  A quality evening of cool jazz is guaranteed.

 Armstrong Hall

Claire Martin
Image ©John Haxby

CLAIRE MARTIN and HER MUSICIANS

Laurence Cottle (bass)
Chris Dagley (drums)
Gareth Williams (piano)

Making a welcome return to Thornbury this year is Britain's leading female jazz singer Claire Martin, who performed for us in 2006 as part of the Girl Talk revue. For the sixth time Claire was voted Best Vocalist in the British Jazz awards!

Her early influences were Judy Garland and Ella Fitzgerald moving on to Betty Carter and Shirley Horn and her wide repertoire includes jazz standards and contemporary material. She has produced albums on Linn records since 1992 and has performed across the world with top artistes such as Ian Shaw, Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, James Brown and even the Halle Orchestra, with particular success in America. She is well known to BBC 3 listeners where she has been co-presenting Jazz Line Up for almost 10 years.

We look forward to a wonderful evening of cool jazz with Claire and her trio of accomplished jazz musicians to wind up this year's Arts Festival.

"not only the finest female British Jazz singer of her generation but possibly of all time" Jazz Times

Presented in association with The John Boddy Agency

Date

 Time

 Festival Week Events

 Where?

 Sunday May 2nd.

"A stroll around Olveston"
Eric Garrett and Les Harper
Two eminent local historians guide awalk around the historical sites in the village of Olveston by followed by tea and homemade cakes in the Methodist Hall.

Methodist Hall, Olveston

A STROLL AROUND OLVESTON

Join Eric Garrett and Les Harper for a guided walk around the historical sites of the village of Olveston. They will be recounting stories of why prominent Quakers came in centuries past and how the butcher blocked the village drains in the 1930s and much more!
Complete the walk with homemade cakes and tea at the Methodist Hall!

Please note parking is not easy!

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