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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Dorchester Festival
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260501
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260511
DTSTAMP:20261027T102123
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:20261027T102123
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:20261027T102123
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:20261027T102123
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:20260508T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260508T123000
DTSTAMP:20261027T102123
CREATED:20260320T092422Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260320T092422Z
UID:5293-1778234400-1778243400@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Yoga and Wellbeing for schools
DESCRIPTION:Emma Horwill\,  a yoga teacher with a decade of experience\, introduces yoga to pupils in our local primary school\, Dorchester St Birinus\nThis is a private class and is already pre-booked.  If your school would like to be involved in future Festivals with events like this\, then do get in touch! \n \nEmma Horwill  is a Charity Ambassador for Be Free Young Carers\, working with the young carers & their families as the Health & Wellbeing expert.  It was through getting involved with Be Free Young Carers that she discovered that she had actually been a young carer herself! \nTeaching with an open heart\, warmth and a sense of humour\, she loves sharing the joy of yoga with all humans. (And even sometimes with her dog Mabel) \n \nHer passion is sharing the value and joy of yoga with children and young people\, hoping they will continue their own journey of self care for a lifetime.  This includes teaching girls\, teens & women yoga and wellbeing for hormonal health\, menarche and menopause. \nHer classes are a blend of hatha\, vinyasa\, yin\, meditation\, mindfulness\, sound healing & essential oils; gentle\, healing classes\, but not without challenges! \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/yoga-and-wellbeing-for-schools/
LOCATION:Dorchester Abbey\, High Street\, Dorchester-on-Thames\, Oxfordshire\, OX10 7HH\, United Kingdom
ORGANIZER;CN="Dorchester Festival":MAILTO:festival@dorchester-abbey.org.uk
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260508T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260508T140000
DTSTAMP:20261027T102123
CREATED:20220106T170834Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260121T141954Z
UID:3951-1778241600-1778248800@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Music for Autism
DESCRIPTION:This event is FREE! \nWith Hannah Frazer Mackenzie. Soprano \nThis is a free concert to which all are invited!  Local autistic schools will come to enjoy the therapeutic effects of music live in the Abbey with professional musicians associated with the Orchestra of St John’s (OSJ) as part of their Music for Autism programme. \nFor over 20 years\, under the committed leadership of John Lubbock\, Music for Autism has provided a programme of accessible workshops delivered in special schools and designed specifically for young people with autism. OSJ Music for Autism engages with over 6\,000 young people each year\, and is offered entirely free of charge to participating schools. \nMany people like to listen to music sitting absolutely still and silent\, without any distractions\, so that they can focus on the music.  But a significant number of other people\, in particular young people with autism\, prefer to move about\, perhaps dancing or responding physically to the music\, vocalising or whatever.  The consequence is that such people are usually unwelcome at formal ‘concert hall’ performances. As a result\, their access to live classical music is limited – sometimes impossible. This is where Music for Autism makes such a difference. \nThe important difference is that the students can respond to the music exactly as they wish. They can sit up\, lie down\, move around or stand and stare. They can fidget if they wish – and some children use fidgeting as a strategy to help them concentrate\, not as an indication of their boredom as is often assumed.  Nothing is forced; yet\, with John Lubbock gently facilitating and encouraging throughout\, the interaction between the children\, the music and the musicians is very often a deeply moving experience. \nPeople of all ages and abilities are welcome to come to this event. \nIf 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/music-for-autistic-schools/
LOCATION:Dorchester Abbey\, High Street\, Dorchester-on-Thames\, Oxfordshire\, OX10 7HH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Family & Children,Free!,Music,Older children,Other
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dorchesterfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/music-for-autism-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Dorchester Festival":MAILTO:festival@dorchester-abbey.org.uk
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260508T193000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260508T213000
DTSTAMP:20261027T102123
CREATED:20220105T150550Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260428T035802Z
UID:3884-1778268600-1778275800@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Pour My Bluff!
DESCRIPTION:This event is SOLD OUT! \nTickets £27 incl 8 x 60ml glasses of wine \nPlatters made up by Snug cafe are available to buy alongside tickets \nThink you know your wine? Want to both taste some fine wines and also understand more about them? Fancy some fun and competition whilst learning? Then this event is for you.  Think of it as Call My Bluff meets Would I Lie to You lubricated by wine. \nThe wonderful Pierre Le Vin team\, wine suppliers to the festival\, have selected 8 special wines for us all to taste. And to make it more interesting and fun a panel of local ‘experts’ will talk to you about each wine. But only one is telling the truth\, can you work out who is telling the truth and who is bluffing?  Add in a wine quiz to test your knowledge and a platter of bread\, cheeses and nibbles to give you a good thirst and we’ll have a great evening. With prizes for those who can see through the lies and find the truth. \nPlatters provided by Snug will be available to buy in advance alongside your tickets:\n(all serve 2 as a sharing plate/appetizer)\n– Warm Spinach and Artichoke Dip\, tortilla chips £9.75 (GF-vegetarian)\n– Cheese Board – three cheeses\, cheese biscuits\, grapes\, farm honey £14.50 (GF on request)\n– Charcuterie Board: Cured meats\, olives\, pickles and mini baguette £14.50 (GF on request)\n– Mediterranean Plate: a seasonal platter of raw veggies & dips (vegan\, GF) £12.50\n– Chocolate Sweet treats: A platter of bite size chocolate treats £9.50\n– Wine Teasers: a sample plate of different flavors to try with the wines. Think salty\, sweet\, tangy\, acidic\, sour\, creamy and citrus. £7.95 \nOur wine experts practicing their bluffs are…\nPaul Fritz-Johnson – Paul is our expert from Welch & Co\, wine suppliers to the Festival as a whole. \n  \n  \n  \nMary Galer – Mary started in hospitality at 14 years old and has never left!  Following training she managed hotels in France for 4 years\, came back to run The Fleur in Dorchester with her husband Nick\, and then went to run The Goose Restaurant during which time it won its first Michelin star.  Mary then went on to work at The Hinds Head\, Bray for 4.5 years (also a Michelin star was achieved) until they took on their own public house and hotel\, The Miller of Mansfield\, Goring on Thames.  Mary and Nick ran The Miller from 2014-2022 while Mary completed her WSET and created a virtual wine business ‘Virtual Vines’.  She was the GM of Wilding in Oxford and is now GM of The George at Upton \n  \nKeith Ives – the proprietor of Bishops Court Farm is never short of a opinion on a bottle of wine. So we can expect some forthright views from Keith in his usual inimitable style \n  \n  \n  \nIf you need disabled parking or access do contact us here with your requirements. \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/pour-my-bluff/
LOCATION:Snug Barn\, Bishops Court Farm\, High St\, Dorchester on Thames\, Oxfordshire\, OX10 7HP\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Events with Food & Drink,Food & Drink,Workshops & Demos
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dorchesterfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/wine-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260508T193000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260508T213000
DTSTAMP:20261027T102123
CREATED:20260103T141742Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260215T092017Z
UID:5106-1778268600-1778275800@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Liza Pulman Sings Streisand
DESCRIPTION:Tickets £30/£22/£15\nThere will be a section of seats reserved at the very front of the nave 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. \nAn evening of sparkling entertainment…a sound of Streisand with a large delicious slice of Liza\nBritish Theatre ★★★★★                  \nFresh from three sell out concerts at Chichester Festival Theatre Fascinating Aida’s acclaimed singer and comedienne Liza Pulman celebrates the legend of Barbra Streisand in concert with her fabulous band and musical director Joseph Atkins.\n“Renowned as one of the very few artists that can truly emulate the vocal skills of the iconic Barbra Streisand” – Liza’s STREISAND show has played London’s West End to packed houses and five-star reviews. \nThis ‘world class show’ (Encore Radio) brings Liza’s personal slant on Streisand’s life and music\, with warmth\, humour and compelling storytelling.\n Featuring glorious new arrangements of classic songs …THE WAY WE WERE\, SECOND HAND ROSE\, YOU DON’T BRING ME FLOWERS\, PEOPLE and many more. \nIf you need disabled parking or access do contact us here with your requirements – we’d love to help you! \n\nThe love child of Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand\nSuzy Klein\, BBC Radio 3 In Tune \nPulman may look bright and beautiful and demure\, but she knows how to wield a flick-knife   \nThe Times ★★★★ \n Incredible performances of classic numbers……delivered with humour\, grace and class\nTheatre Weekly ★★★★★        \nBewitches us with sheer vocal virtuosity and emotional expression \nBritish Theatre.com ★★★★★ \nThe whole audience are on their feet and seldom has a standing ovation been better earned.\nStage Talk\, London\, Cadogan Hall\, ★★★★★ \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/liza-pulman-sings-streisand/
LOCATION:Dorchester Abbey\, High Street\, Dorchester-on-Thames\, Oxfordshire\, OX10 7HH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Music,Other
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dorchesterfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/liza.jpg
END:VEVENT
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