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.”
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.
Date | Time | Title | Who | What | Where | Price |
Ticketed events |
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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 |
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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 |