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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Dorchester Festival
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260501
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260511
DTSTAMP:20261027T102340
CREATED:20220105T144036Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260320T141532Z
UID:3879-1777593600-1778457599@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Drawn to Imperfection – an exhibition by Dave Nevard
DESCRIPTION:This exhibition is FREE to visit \nThere will be a free preview and Q&A with the artist and David Painting (the author of the book about the exhibition) at 7pm in Dorchester Abbey on Thursday 30th April.  Please do come! \nDrawn to Imperfection is a collection of 21 large scale contemporary portraits offering an engaging invitation into the story of the Bible.  These portraits offer a unique window into the humanity and vulnerability of those found in the pages of the Bible\, giving audiences the opportunity to meet these characters face to face. \nCreated as a collaboration between artist Dave Nevard and author David Painting\, the exhibition is accompanied by a book of the same name.  This immersive collection of work has been featured on BBC 1 and tours around the UK. \nDave Nevard creates portraiture rich in empathy that explores the complexity of our humanity.  Blending influences from street art and traditional realism\, Dave’s wider work is often deeply informed by the lives of those found in the margins of society. This has led to collaborative work with charities and NGO’s around the world. \nInstagram: @dave.nevard \n  \nRevd Dr Harriet Harris will be facilitating a morning of prayer and reflection based on the exhibition on Thursday 7th May 9am-12noon.  Find out more about it here. \nSince graduating with a BA(Hons) in Fine Art\, Dave has developed a rich practice of socially engaged work. \nFrom leprosy communes in China to the homeless communities of Buenos Aires\, Dave has had the opportunity to create site-specific work in diverse cross-cultural locations around the world. Blending traditional painting and drawing with strong influences from street art and muralism\, Dave’s practice has been deeply informed by the lives of those found in forgotten places. \nParticularly drawn to those pushed to the fringes of society\, Dave’s work is often initiated by the relationship formed with those inhabiting these spaces. Exploring themes of identity\, belonging and social injustice within the cracks of contemporary urban life\, the circumstances\, stories and personalities of these individuals characterize the identity of his work. \nA passionate storyteller\, Dave loves to explore the medium of portraiture to provide thought provoking work that celebrates the beauty and complexity of our shared humanity. \nIf you need disabled parking or access do contact us here with your requirements – we’d love to help you! \nShare this:\n				Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)\n				Facebook\n			\n				Share on X (Opens in new window)\n				X
URL:https://dorchesterfestival.com/event/drawntoimperfection/
LOCATION:Dorchester Abbey\, High Street\, Dorchester-on-Thames\, Oxfordshire\, OX10 7HH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Art,Art, History, Film & Literature,Free!,Spiritual
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dorchesterfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/DTI-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Dorchester Festival":MAILTO:festival@dorchester-abbey.org.uk
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260501
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260511
DTSTAMP:20261027T102340
CREATED:20220107T053308Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260526T092709Z
UID:3964-1777593600-1778457599@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Scarecrow Trail - Historical Figures
DESCRIPTION:The 2026 Scarecrow historical figures are listed below.  Congratulations to the Line family for their winning scarecrow – Howard Carter and Tutankhamun \n\n\n\nDorchester Festival 2026 Scarecrow Trail Answers (most popular scarecrow: Howard Carter and Tutankhamun)\n\n\nNo\nAddress\nWho is the historical figure?\n\n\n1\nDorchester Abbey Museum \nGeoffrey Chaucer\n\n\n2\nVillage Hall\, Queen’s St (Dorchester Historical Society)\nSir George Gilbert Scott \n \n\n\n3\nDorchester St Birinus Primary School \nSt Birinus\n\n\n4\nDorchester Pre-school\, Queen’s Street \nAmelia Earhart\n\n\n5\n3 Manor Farm Road \nNeil Armstrong\n\n\n6\n7 Monks Close\nEmmeline Pankhurst\n\n\n7\n11 Monks Close \nFriar Tuck (and Robin Hood)\n\n\n8\n17 Page Furlong\nSt Francis of Assisi\n\n\n9\n2 Page Furlong\nAlbert Einstein\n\n\n10\n7 Jemmetts Close\nHelen Sharman\n\n\n11\n3 The Limes\nKing Henry VIII\n\n\n12\nSnug\, Bishop’s Court Farm\, High St\nJulius Caesar\n\n\n13\n72 High Street\nSteve Jobs\n\n\n14\nHigh St Bus Shelter (Knit n Natter) \nWilliam Shakespeare\n\n\n15\nFortnums Estates\, 65 High Street \nMarilyn Monroe\n\n\n16\n55 High Street \nRosa Parks\n\n\n17\n51 High Street\nCleopatra\n\n\n18\n30 High Street \nAnne Boleyn\n\n\n19\n6 Beechcroft \nHoward Carter and Tutankhamun\n\n\n20\n8 Malthouse Lane \nGandhi\n\n\n21\n19 Watling Lane \nMarie Curie\n\n\n22\n7 Tenpenny\nCleopatra\n\n\n23\n2 Haven Close\nBeatrix Potter\n\n\n24\n13 Tenpenny\nQueen Matilda\n\n\n25\n22 Bridge End \nFrida Kahlo\n\n\n26\n15 Meadside (just 10 mins’ walk from village centre)\nMary Anning\n\n\n27\nDorchester Abbey porch\nJoseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat\n\n\n28\n13 High Street\nBlackbeard\n\n\n\n  \nScarecrow entry for scarecrow makers: £5. \nDorchester Folk can enter a scarecrow for the Scarecrow trail or you can simply stroll around the village and see if you can work out what they are during Festival week \nThe theme is Historical Figures!\nIf you’d like to enter a scarecrow – they can be really simple\, pulled together at the last minute or super creative\, planned way in advance – up to you\, as long as they resemble a historical figure(s). Completed entry forms must be received by Saturday 25 April latest. Scarecrows must be in place by Thursday 30 April 2026. \nTwo ways to enter: \n\nfill out the form below & buy a ticket from the boxoffice for your £5 entry fee\nprint out this form\, fill it in and post it through the letterbox at either 73 High St or 3 Manor Farm Road with £5 entry fee (cheques can be made out to Dorchester Festival)\n\nName / FamilyEmail AddressPhoneAddress (where the scarecrow will be seen)Where will the scarecrow be?What historical figure will your scarecrow represent? Submit Form\nOr simply buy a map and take to the trail during Festival week.  Maps (minimum donation) £4 from the Coop or the Festival Big Tent during Festival week. \nTake a walk around the village\, peek into windows and gardens to guess which historical figures are lurking. Some will be easier to identify than others but it’s all good fun for all ages. Vote for your favourite scarecrow; the makers of the winning scarecrow get a prize! \nScarecrows are all visible from the street so this event is fully accessible to wheelchairs. If you need disabled parking or access do contact us here with your requirements – we’d love to help you! \n  \nShare this:\n				Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)\n				Facebook\n			\n				Share on X (Opens in new window)\n				X
URL:https://dorchesterfestival.com/event/scarecrow-trail/
LOCATION:Dorchester\, High St\, Dorchester on Thames\, Oxfordshire\, OX107HN\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Family,Family & Children
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dorchesterfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/scarecrow-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Dorchester Festival":MAILTO:festival@dorchester-abbey.org.uk
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260501
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260511
DTSTAMP:20261027T102340
CREATED:20251230T061330Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260411T171946Z
UID:5057-1777593600-1778457599@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:The Hallidays Community Art Installation - Impressions of Dorchester
DESCRIPTION:This event is FREE and available for viewing throughout the Festival week \n \nA collaborative installation of small artworks created by a variety of groups within the local community and by the young people of our charity partner\, Be Free Young Carers. Designed and led and by Oxford-based artist Emma Coleman-Jones\, individual responses to The Abbey\, the village and the local landscape are displayed together in an innovative design inspired by the windows and arches within the Abbey itself. Through the generous support of locally-based and internationally-renowned sculptor David Harber\, the supporting arches used to create the display in the People’s Chapel will be auctioned through the festival to provide additional funds for our charities.  Bid for an arch here! \nThe Installation is now closed to new pieces and we have over 420!  Emma will now collate these into the exhibition for everyone to view through the Festival. \nAt 11am on Saturday 2nd May it will be formally opened by the artists who have created it and we are hoping all the community artists who have contributed will come and see their work in place. \n  \nIf you need disabled parking or access do contact us here with your requirements – we’d love to help you! \nThis event is sponsored by Hallidays \n \nShare this:\n				Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)\n				Facebook\n			\n				Share on X (Opens in new window)\n				X
URL:https://dorchesterfestival.com/event/the-hallidays-community-art-exhibition-impressions-of-dorchester/
LOCATION:Dorchester Abbey\, High Street\, Dorchester-on-Thames\, Oxfordshire\, OX10 7HH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Art,Art, History, Film & Literature,Family,Family & Children,Free!
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dorchesterfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/art-installation.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Dorchester Festival":MAILTO:festival@dorchester-abbey.org.uk
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260502
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260511
DTSTAMP:20261027T102340
CREATED:20220106T172138Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260304T145844Z
UID:3956-1777680000-1778457599@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Local Artists Exhibition
DESCRIPTION:The work will be available to view 11am-5pm Weekends & BH Mon \nDorchester Artists including \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSophia Stewart-Liberty\nTracy Lester\nEd Metcalfe\nCarol Golding\nSimon Clements\nBill Maish\nEmma Coleman-Jones\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nwill be exhibiting their work in the Dorchester Abbey Guest House.  25% of all sales will go to the Festival Charities – Dorchester Abbey and Be Free Young Carers \nMore details of their work will be posted here closer to the event \nThe Abbey Guest House upper room has a stair lift but there is a single step up from the path to get into the building.  If you need disabled parking or access do contact us here with your requirements – we’d love to help you! \n  \n  \nShare this:\n				Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)\n				Facebook\n			\n				Share on X (Opens in new window)\n				X
URL:https://dorchesterfestival.com/event/local-artists-exhibition/
LOCATION:Dorchester Abbey Guest House\, High Street\, Dorchester-on-Thames\, Oxfordshire\, OX10 7HH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Art,Art, History, Film & Literature,Free!
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dorchesterfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/tracyweb.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Dorchester Festival":MAILTO:festival@dorchester-abbey.org.uk
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260506T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260506T190000
DTSTAMP:20261027T102340
CREATED:20260320T095705Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260320T095738Z
UID:5295-1778090400-1778094000@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Singing Playgrounds
DESCRIPTION:Tickets: £3 Children under 16 free (but please do book a free ticket so we can be sure you get a seat!) \nOver 200 children from local schools will spend a joyful day singing with professional musicians from Ex Cathedra and then perform what they have learnt in a concert at 6pm in the fabulous surroundings of Dorchester Abbey.\nDo book a ticket to what will be the most life-affirming concert of the Festival! \nSchools have already pre-booked the workshop.  If your school would like to be involved in future Festivals with events like this\, then do get in touch! \nIn 2004 Rebecca Ledgard\, from Ex Cathedra and Ula Weber \, a teacher in a large primary school in Sandwell worked together to put singing at the heart of the school community. This was the beginning of Singing Playgrounds. Since then  the team has expanded to include others who are passionate about this child-led project\, bringing together their vast range of skills and experience in the education\, performance and community music worlds. \nThey have implemented the project in over 1000 primary schools across the UK\, and travelled to Singapore\, Uganda\, Thailand\, New Zealand\, Belgium and China. \nThey have led many training events and conference presentations\, as well as Singing Playgrounds celebration-performances. Highlights include 2000 children in a park in Derby\, a performance at the Royal Albert Hall\, and the global inaugural One Young Voice summit on stage with Desmond Tutu. Singing Playgrounds was the first flagship project for Sing Up and was awarded Best Musical Initiative by Music and Education Drama Awards 2014. Since 2020 they have expanded resources for schools to include audio-visual materials available online. This supports schools in continuing the programme after visits\, and allows Schools unable to afford to bringthem in to benefit from the programme digitally. \n20 years in\, every new school visit continues to be exciting! They have maintained the true essence of the project: children smiling\, singing and playing together. \nShare this:\n				Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)\n				Facebook\n			\n				Share on X (Opens in new window)\n				X
URL:https://dorchesterfestival.com/event/singing-playgrounds/
LOCATION:Dorchester Abbey\, High Street\, Dorchester-on-Thames\, Oxfordshire\, OX10 7HH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Family & Children,Music,Other
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dorchesterfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/singing-playgrounds.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260506T193000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260506T220000
DTSTAMP:20261027T102340
CREATED:20260102T101604Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260215T091848Z
UID:5095-1778095800-1778104800@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Jazz up the 80s with the Jay Rayner Sextet
DESCRIPTION:Tickets £35/£25/£18\nThere will be a section of seats reserved at the very front of the front section for Festival Friends at this concert.  Festival Friend privileges include early booking and the best seats in the house!  Do consider becoming a Friend – find out more about it here. \nAs a man who came of age in the 80s\, restaurant critic\, MasterChef judge and jazz pianist Jay Rayner has long been fascinated by the chart hits from that decade which weren’t just jazz inflected but had jazz in their very bones.  Jay leads a sextet of top flight musicians to celebrate the greatest of those 80s songs\, with new arrangements of brilliant tracks by Sade\, Matt Bianco\, Working Week\, Everything But The Girl\, Paul Weller\, Sting and much more. Get your jazzy 80s on with the Jay Rayner Sextet. Box-shouldered jacket and big hair optional. \nIt’s a night of great music and great\, often entirely inappropriate stories! \nPat Gordon-Smith\, voice; Dave Lewis\, sax; Robert Rickenberg\, bass; Chris Cobbson\, guitar; Sophie Alloway\, drums. \nIf you need disabled parking or access do contact us here with your requirements – we’d love to help you! \n  \n  \n \nShare this:\n				Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)\n				Facebook\n			\n				Share on X (Opens in new window)\n				X
URL:https://dorchesterfestival.com/event/jay-rayner/
LOCATION:Festival Big Tent\, Dorchester Abbey\, Dorchester on Thames\, Oxfordshire\, OX10 7HH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Music,Other
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dorchesterfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/jay.jpg
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