The village of Milton Clevedon, just a stone’s throw from Upton Noble, is hosting an arts festival as a fundraiser for its church on 22-24 July.

“Last year we staged a sell-out concert given by Wells Cathedral School alumna and the previous year a flower festival and exhibition that commemorated the beginning of the First World War,” said Helen Corney. “This year we have decided to open up our doors to celebrate the creative spirit that is in all of us. The Arts Festival is celebrating the arts in general and we believe that there is something for everyone in the exhibitions, talks, workshops and music that make up our programme.”

The festival kicked off last Friday evening with an inspiring and entertaining talk and demonstration by Michael Bowyer entitled ‘My Life with Flowers’. Michael is a national demonstrator, teacher and international judge in the floral art world.

A classical concert to launch the festival weekend will take place in St Peter’s Church in Evercreech, while there is a blues night on Saturday. There are watercolour painting workshops on Saturday and on Sunday a workshop on needlepoint design and one on floral art. Saturday afternoon brings a talk and exploration into the nature of creativity, led by Helen Habershon, a composer and clarinetist who is the lead for the classical concert, and John Staib, a Milton Clevedon resident and portrait painter who has also donated a portrait as first prize for the grand draw. 

Jane Brayne, a professional artist and illustrator who teaches the Evercreech Art Group, will talk about the creative process behind her illustrated book, The Archer, which is set to be published shortly.

Additionally there will be a marquee exhibition entitled Spirit of Creativity, with pieces loaned by professional artists, plus an exhibition/display of children’s art from local schools. 

Milton Clevedon church will also host exhibits that illustrate the artistic inspiration behind some of its features, together with images in different moods and times.

Food and drink will be on offer throughout the weekend in the marquee.

“I’m always fascinated by how people find ways to express themselves and I’m hoping that I will get time out to be at the creativity talk and exploration as, among other things, it will explore how we ‘lock down’ our creative selves,” adds Helen. “Our programme is organised so that nothing clashes, so it’s possible to do everything that you want to. You can join events together, possibly interspersed with refreshments, so that you can make your own mini programme. It can therefore be a visit of a whole day or two or just a couple of hours. We look forward to seeing everyone.”

How to buy tickets

Tickets can be bought online using a credit or debit card by following this link www.ticketsource.co.uk/miltonclevedonartsfestival. There is a booking fee, but your ticket can be sent to your mobile phone or emailed, or, for an additional charge, you can have tickets sent in the post.

Alternatively, you can email the box office: festival@miltonclevedon.com, tel: (01749) 830 308, with your name, the event you wish to book, number of tickets required and contact details. Cheques payable to ‘PCC Milton Clevedon’ should be sent to Festival Office, Highcroft, Bruton Road, Milton Clevedon, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 6QD. Your tickets can be emailed, or to receive your tickets in the post send a stamped addressed envelope with your cheque.

Programme

Date

Time

Title

Who

What

Where

Price

Ticketed events

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday 22

 

 

 

 

7.30pm (drinks & nibbles from 6.45pm)

A Classical Concert: Inspired by Nature featuring Helen Habershon

Helen Habershon, clarinet and composer, with

John Wilkes, flute, Arturo Serna, cello, Peter Adcock, piano

Classical concert inspired by nature

St Peter’s Church, Evercreech

£15.00 (includes drink & nibbles)

Saturday 23

 

 

 

11am, 1pm, 2.30pm

Cascading Landscapes

Catherine Beale

Landscape painting workshop with a new watercolour technique

Manor Farm Dairy Room

£15.00 (includes materials & tuition)

Saturday 23

 

 

4.00pm

The Butterfly & The Editor

Helen Habershon & John Staib

Talk, discussion & exploration 

St James’Church

£5.00

Saturday 23

 

 

6.00pm

History of the Mississippi Blues

David Ash

Talk with music

Marquee, Manor Farm garden

Collection

Saturday 23

 

 

7.00pm

A Blues Night

Doctor Dash & the Pebbles

Blues, food & cash bar

Marquee, Manor Farm garden

£12.00

Sunday 24

 

 

10.30am – 12.30pm

An Eye for Design

Candace Bahouth

Needlepoint design workshop

Manor Farm Dairy Room

£25.00 (includes materials & tuition)

Sunday 24

 

 

2.30 – 4.30pm

Coming Up Roses

Margaret Bown

Floral art workshop

Manor Farm Dairy Room

£25.00 (includes materials & tuition)

Sunday 24

 

 

4.00pm

The Archer, a creative journey

Jane Brayne

Talk

St James’ Church

£5.00

Open events

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday 23 & Sunday 24

 

 

 

10.30am to 5.00pm

Spirit of Creativity

Varied professional artists

Fine art, sculpture, decorative art, loaned by professional artists based in Somerset

Marquee, Manor farm garden

Donations

Saturday 23 & Sunday 24

 

 

10.30am to 3.30pm

Inspired by the Church

 

Exhibition explaining artistic & historical features

St James’ Church

Donations

Saturday 23 & Sunday 24

 

10.30am to 5.00pm

Children’s Art

Local schools & children’s groups 

Exhibition of children’s art projects

Marquee, Manor Farm garden

Donations

Saturday 23 & Sunday 24

 

10.30am to 4.00pm

Children’s Art Corner

For children

Full of art materials for children to create

Marquee, Manor Farm garden

Donations

Sunday 24

 

 

6.00pm

Hymns with Pimms

Rev Rosey Lunn

A songs of praise to celebrate the festival

St James’ Church

Collection