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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260501
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260511
DTSTAMP:20261027T102149
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:20261027T102149
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:20261027T102149
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:20261027T102149
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:20260509T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260510T170000
DTSTAMP:20261027T102149
CREATED:20260320T104810Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260320T140451Z
UID:5297-1778320800-1778432400@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Live Music on the Cloister Stage
DESCRIPTION:On the second Festival weekend we’ll have FREE live music on the Cloister Stage in the Cloister Garden behind Dorchester Abbey \nEverything from choirs to bands\, singer songwriters to cover bands – it’ll all be there surrounded by lovely food and drink stalls!  So just turn up\, buy a pint or a coffee and some gorgeous lunch or snacks and sit and enjoy the fun and chilled vibes! \nSaturday 9th May \n10.30am Rock Choir\n11am The Greenway Project\n12noon Rock Choir\n12.45 Wally Ukes\n2pm Merlin Bateman-Paris\n3pm Only The Brave \nSunday 10th May \n12noon Aled Bath\n1pm Jody Prewett\n2pm Pandemonium\n3pm Oxford Gospel Choir \nDidcot Rock Choir\nOur local Didcot Rock Choir is run by singing teacher Krisha Kaye and performs at local Oxfordshire music\, food and fireworks festivals and joins other Rock Choirs for national and regional events\, giving members unrivalled performance opportunities and experiences beyond compare\, ranging from appearing at Wembley Stadium to singing at the Rugby!  It’s new friends\, performance achievements\, socials\, an incredible choir leader Krisha and above all – singing beautiful pop song arrangements! \n  \n  \nThe Greenway Project\nThe Greenway Project are a local 5-piece covers band\, featuring sax\, duelling guitars\, bass and their eponymous drummer (you may even spot the Curate!). They play a wide mix of genres\, including rock\, soft rock\, hard rock and sing-along rock. Think Abba to AC/DC. You can judge them by their covers. \nWally Ukes\nWally Ukes is a super friendly local group with a songbook spanning the last 60 years. They play everything from timeless classics to modern hits\, offering something for everyone. With bass\, percussion\, harmonica and more alongside our ukes\, join us for an upbeat session of great songs!  \n  \n  \n  \n Merlin Bateman-Paris\nNow performing solo following his time with The Bartenders covers band\, Merlin Bateman-Paris @mbparismusic plays guitar and harmonica while singing mesmerising songs inspired by folk\, gypsy jazz\, and the blues. \n \nOnly The Brave\nOnly The Brave are a six-piece band from South Oxfordshire. Formed in 2024 the band plays self-penned songs that tell stories of longing and dog-legged lives. Influences range from classic artists like Stephen Stills to the contemporary Jamestown Revival\, Midlake and Waxahatchee. We hope our music dwells with you like an old friend offering bittersweet vignettes for life’s unpredictable path.\nIan Salisbury\, Steve Eyre\, Tara Eyre\, James Arbuckle\, Ian Wild and Chris Baines. Photo: Chris Baines \n  \n \n  \nAled Bath\nThe Still Cans is the solo project of Dorchester-based singer-songwriter Aled Bath\, whose acoustic and electric songs explore life’s universal experiences through the lens of nature and human connection. With memorable hooks and thoughtful lyricism\, his music draws comparisons to Bruce Springsteen\, Tom Petty\, Damien Rice\, and Glen Hansard.\nIn this intimate acoustic performance\, Aled will perform original songs from his forthcoming album “50:50”\, including singles ‘The Ocean In Between Us’\, ‘Amy’\, and ‘Edge of the River’\, alongside fan favourites from his repertoire. Mixing acoustic guitar with lush layered live loops to build rich soundscapes\, he creates a dynamic solo performance that brings depth and texture to each song.\nLinks to songs:Amy – release date 6th March 2026  The Ocean In Between Us – release date 6th February 2026\nYouTube: Edge of the River (live @ The Snug in September 2025) \nJody Prewett \nAs the former lead singer and guitarist of the critically acclaimed band Trophy Wife\, Jody has a varied and rich musical background.\n​The band’s single “Microlite\,” released on Moshi Moshi Records\, became a cult favourite; championed by Zane Lowe\, Mark Riley and Tom Ravenscroft amongst others. Extensive touring followed alongside heavyweights such as Bombay Bicycle Club\, Foals\, Two Door Cinema Club and No Age at venues such as Brixton Academy\,  The Troxy\, Amsterdam Paradiso\, London Koko and Kentish Town Forum. The band also appeared at many prodigious festivals including Pukkelpop Belgium\, Lowlands Holland\, Dockville in Hamburg\, Latitude and Bestival\, promoted a debut album release in Japan and  landed a slot opening for Ed Sheeran in Paris.\n​After this whirlwind of success and the bands demise\, Jody took a wholly necessary step back from the music industry\, pursuing his other passion for working in education\, a field he has worked in for many years. Jody is now a well established and in demand music educator.\n​However\, his creative impulses never evaporated and his recent album of guitar instrumentals\, inspired by time spent in nature\, entitled “Trails\,” showcased his fledgling brand of cinematic folk. A set of intricately arranged neo-classical and folk pieces that unfold “like the evolving landscape of a walk” (Joyzine).  \nHis most recent release\, River Songs\, is a collection of intimate\, imagistic folk ballads that draw upon his love for artists such as John Martyn\, James Taylor and Sufjan Stevens. The album has a nostalgic\, fantasy-tinged sense of romance that “brings to mind a minstrel traversing the fields of Albion” (​No Transmission).  \n​Both releases have at their core a deep love for being in nature and finding solace and peace through feeling connected and indebted to the wild.\n2026 is set be a busy year as Jody releases a new album called ‘Places Beyond’. The 10-songs are see Jody exploring a more expansive sound with greater depth of textures\, ambience and more detailed instrumentation than previous releases. The album could be described as ‘sci-fi folk’; a narrative of unexplained phenomena runs throughout\, from crop circles and UFO’s to clairvoyants and standing stones. With the album approaching the final stages of completion\, more details will follow soon. \nPandemonium \nPandemonium is a versatile music group based in Wantage\, Oxfordshire\, who sing and play a variety of instruments\, including: melodeon\, recorder\, English concertina\, bodhran (Irish hand drum)\, guitar\, bass\, violin\, piccolo\, Irish banjo and mandolin. Their repertoire includes tunes\, monologues\, recitations\, and poetry – serious and light-hearted – and they sing popular songs with an emphasis on fun and informality. \nThe Oxford Gospel Choir \nThe Oxford Gospel Choir\, now celebrating its 21st year\, is a vibrant community choir where everyone is welcome to join in singing an uplifting repertoire of Gospel and popular music that inspires and uplifts. In 2024\, they celebrated our 20th year.   A friendly and diverse group of singers from Oxfordshire\, embracing all beliefs\, ages\, and abilities with rehearsals as much about community and fun as they are about music\, coming together each week to share in the joy of singing. \nThey follow traditional Gospel teaching methods\, learning by listening and copying rather than using music scores. This approach allows the songs to become part of them\, so they can sing from memory\, freeing them to dance\, groove\, and fully express the joy in the music.  They are joint holders of the Guinness World Record for the largest-ever Gospel choir performance\, singing alongside 1\,200 other voices. They’ve also twice been finalists in the BBC Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year competition. \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/live-music-on-the-cloister-stage/
LOCATION:Dorchester Abbey\, High Street\, Dorchester-on-Thames\, Oxfordshire\, OX10 7HH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Free!,Music,Other
ORGANIZER;CN="Dorchester Festival":MAILTO:festival@dorchester-abbey.org.uk
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260510T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260510T110000
DTSTAMP:20261027T102149
CREATED:20260113T062701Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260215T092525Z
UID:5158-1778407200-1778410800@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Gardener's Corner for Families
DESCRIPTION:Tickets £8 for children\, Adults free! (but please book a free ticket) \nBring your outdoor obsessed children and encourage their green fingers!  A fun filled hour learning about planting seeds with Head Gardener Matt and kids get to take their own seed pot home to nurture!  Children must be accompanied by a parent \nChildren will get up close with different sorts of seeds\, talking through how they germinate and what makes them grow and stay healthy.  They’ll get to plant their own seed in a pot to take home and get tips on how to keep it alive.  If time allows they’ll also plant sunflower seeds and make their own labels to be transplanted on in the farm market garden which they’ll be able to see from the path.  Will their sunflower grow the biggest?! \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/family-gardeners-corner/
LOCATION:Snug Cafe\, Bishop’s Court Farm\, 91 High Street\,\, Dorchester-on-Thames\,\, Oxfordshire\, OX10 7HP\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Family & Children,Younger children
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dorchesterfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/kids-gardeners.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260510T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260510T130000
DTSTAMP:20261027T102149
CREATED:20260108T190921Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260216T131922Z
UID:5148-1778407200-1778418000@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Scandi Baking workshop
DESCRIPTION:This event is SOLD OUT but you can add yourself to the waiting list by going to the box office.  We will contact the waiting list in order if customers drop out and want to resell their tickets. \nRoll your sleeves up for an afternoon of baking delicious Scandi goods including the ultimate perfect cinnamon bun or the Nordic favourite cardamom bun!  Expert Scandi chef\, Claire Andersson\, chef owner of Skogen Kitchen\, will guide you through the process of bun making and other Scandi baking treats in the delightful surroundings of a Dorchester kitchen.\nIngredients\, coffee and ‘testing snacks’ included\, recipe cards a batch of your very own buns to take home!\nBring a friend!  There’s a 10% discount for 2 or more tickets \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/scandi-baking-workshop/
LOCATION:Blakemead\, 61 Abingdon Rd\, Dorchester on Thames\, Oxon\, OX10 7LB\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Cookery Demos,Events with Food & Drink,Food & Drink,Workshops & Demos
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dorchesterfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/claireSO.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260510T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260510T113000
DTSTAMP:20261027T102149
CREATED:20220106T164611Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260108T104345Z
UID:3947-1778409000-1778412600@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Dorchester Abbey Festival Service with Guest Speaker Revd Dr Malcolm Guite
DESCRIPTION:Come to this special Dorchester Abbey Festival service with Guest Speaker poet Malcolm Guite\, and 2023’s Junior BBC Chorister of the year Belinda Gifford-Guy \nThis service will be packed with favourite hymns and a lovely anthem from our amazing Dorchester Abbey choir.  A bit of peace and quiet in the middle of the Festival madness! \nMalcolm Guite is a poet\, priest and rocker! His passion for poetry started in his childhood since when he has become a much-published author\, lecturing widely in England and USA on poetry and theology.  He is Chaplain of Girton College Cambridge\, author of 21 books and plays in Cambridge rock band Mystery Train\, \nIf you need disabled parking or access do contact us here with your requirements – we’d love to help you! \nDorchester Abbey is a beautiful historic Church of England parish church and event venue. It was formerly a Norman abbey church and was built on the site of a Saxon cathedral.  Find out more here \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/dorchester-abbey-festival-service/
LOCATION:Dorchester Abbey\, High Street\, Dorchester-on-Thames\, Oxfordshire\, OX10 7HH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Free!,Spiritual
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dorchesterfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/malcolm-guite-event.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Dorchester Festival":MAILTO:festival@dorchester-abbey.org.uk
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260510T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260510T130000
DTSTAMP:20261027T102149
CREATED:20260115T142108Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260310T085958Z
UID:5201-1778409000-1778418000@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Basque Cookery Demo with Nick Galer
DESCRIPTION:This event is SOLD OUT but you can add yourself to the waiting list by going to the box office.  We will contact the waiting list in order if customers drop out and want to resell their tickets. \nTickets £25 – limited so book early! \nNick Galer has been cooking in and around South Oxfordshire since 2005 and now is the Head Chef at The Pot Kiln\, Frilsham. Nick & his wife Mary were married in Dorchester Abbey in 2010 and maintain strong links with the village.  Nick’s cooking at The Pot Kiln is inspired by the Basque country and open fire cooking. Nick will be showcasing seasonal small plate dishes perfect for intimate supper parties. \nDishes will include: Red Tuna Tartare & Ponzu dressing & Corn Ribs with Smoked Paprika seasoning. \nThis intimate cookery demo in a medieval home kitchen gives you a birds eye view of a professional chef at work with every opportunity to ask questions – tasting encouraged! \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/basque-cookery-demo-with-nick-galer/
LOCATION:Willoughby House\, 73 High St\, Dorchester on Thames\, Oxfordshire\, OX107HN\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Cookery Demos,Food & Drink,Workshops & Demos
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dorchesterfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/nick-Gso.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260510T113000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260510T130000
DTSTAMP:20261027T102149
CREATED:20260113T201635Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260215T092612Z
UID:5168-1778412600-1778418000@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Head Gardener's Planting Masterclass
DESCRIPTION:Tickets £12\nMeet at Snug Cafe \nAn intimate gardening experience with Bishop Court Farm’s head gardener Matt Ditchburn\, RHS Level 2 with merit. Learn about planting seeds\, soil mixes\, spacing and germination tricks. Container planting and organic pest protection. With general Q & A session afterwards\, with water\, tea\, coffee and cookies \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/planting-masterclass/
LOCATION:Snug Cafe\, Bishop’s Court Farm\, 91 High Street\,\, Dorchester-on-Thames\,\, Oxfordshire\, OX10 7HP\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Food & Drink,Workshops & Demos
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dorchesterfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/planting-masterclass.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260510T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260510T153000
DTSTAMP:20261027T102149
CREATED:20220106T144516Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260215T092751Z
UID:3944-1778421600-1778427000@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Revd Dr Malcolm Guite - 'Take Up the Tale’\, Why should we turn again to the tales of Galahad?”
DESCRIPTION:Tickets: £15 / £10 (Children under 16 free) \nThere will be a section of seats reserved at the very front of the nave for Festival Friends at this event.  Festival Friend privileges include early booking and the best seats in the house!  Do consider becoming a Friend – find out more about it here. \nMalcolm Guite reads from his poetry collections\, including his latest book ‘Galahad and the Grail‘ and reflects on how the poetic imagination can express and deepen our spiritual lives. \nAyodeji Malcolm Guite is many things. A few of his credentials include poet\, academic\, Anglican priest\, and singer-songwriter. Born in Nigeria to British expatriate parents\, Guite’s early years were split between Africa\, Canada\, and England. He studied at Cambridge University for his B.A. in English Literature and Durham University for his PhD. His work focuses on the intersection of the arts and religion. \nGuite is the author of many books\, ranging from reflections on faith to collections of poems and songs. His books of poetry\, of which there are five\, including chapbooks\, have often been categorized as modern psalms. His blog contains a wealth of literary treasures and thoughts. As well as being an accomplished writer\, Guite is a self-proclaimed rock’n’roller. He is the lead singer and guitarist for blues-rock band Mystery Train. \nBeyond his accomplishments and accolades\, who exactly is this poet-priest? From a quick glance at his social media profiles\, one can discern a few important details. First\, he has a magnificent beard. Secondly\, he is often holding a pipe\, even more often in conjunction with a pint of beer. He seems to wear many tweed vests or blazers\, and is frequently in the woods. Could this man be a real-life Hobbit? Or\, given his books reflecting on the works of C.S. Lewis\, are we simply making an unconscious association with the Inklings? \nWhatever the case\, Guite is a thoroughly charming\, talented\, and enthusiastic follower of Christ. \nIf you need disabled parking or access contact us here – we’d love to help! \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/malcolmguite/
LOCATION:Dorchester Abbey\, High Street\, Dorchester-on-Thames\, Oxfordshire\, OX10 7HH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Art, History, Film & Literature,Literature,Spiritual
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260510T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260510T160000
DTSTAMP:20261027T102149
CREATED:20220106T102839Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260215T092637Z
UID:3910-1778421600-1778428800@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Lego Master Builders Club
DESCRIPTION:Tickets £21 \nJoin Master Builders Club for a two hour adventure with 1000’s of LEGO bricks\, Minifigures and LEGO components. The Village Hall will be turned in to a LEGO fans dream with colour coded boxes of bricks that allow ‘ little brickies’ to explore\, design and build creatively. This story led immersive brick building experience is suitable for LEGO fans aged 5-15. Those new to the brick and experienced LEGO Masters are all welcome. Just bring your imagination. \nIf you need disabled parking or access do contact us here with your requirements.  We’d love to help! \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/lego-master-builders-club/
LOCATION:Dorchester Village Hall\, 7 Queen St\, Dorchester on Thames\, Oxfordshire\, ox107HR\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Family & Children,Older children,Workshops & Demos,Younger children
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dorchesterfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/masterbuilders-3.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260510T193000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260510T213000
DTSTAMP:20261027T102149
CREATED:20220106T071400Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260219T053926Z
UID:3898-1778441400-1778448600@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Shall we Dance? - The BBC Elstree Concert Band and The Oxford Collutorium Choir
DESCRIPTION:Big Band tickets £22 / £17 adults Children (under 16) half price\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. \nShall We Dance? : From Strauss to Stage & Screen \nThe BBC Elstree Concert Band are excited to be back in Dorchester and this time will be whisking you onto the dance floor. From the waltz to the tango\, as well as a commemoration of 200yrs of Johann Strauss\, music for dance takes many forms and styles. They will showcase well-known dances from the musicals and also a tribute to American ragtime. The BBC Elstree Concert Band\, celebrating its 40th Anniversary\, has established a reputation for entertaining the Dorchester Festival audience with diverse and varied programmes from the wind band repertory. This year\, they will be joined again by Oxford Collutorium who will be making their own vocal tribute to the world of dance. \nThe BBC Elstree Concert Band was founded by flautist Ian Marshall and gave its first public concert at the BBC’s Elstree Studios in July 1986.  The audience was a modest one but included\, crucially\, the Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood and the Town Council’s Entertainments Officer.  Their support over subsequent years has been vital to the band’s development.  Indeed\, Elstree and Borehamwood remains very much the band’s spiritual home\, where it regularly gives concerts.\nOver the thirty plus years of the band’s existence\, it has played at a wide range of venues in and around London\, including the Elstree and Maida Vale Studios\, St James’s Church Piccadilly\, The Proms at St Jude’s in Hampstead Garden Suburb\, Millfield Theatre\, Allum Hall\, Dorchester and Westminster Abbeys.  The ensemble has also given concerts further afield in Belgium\, Germany and France.\nThe band’s performances have been broadcast nationally as well as globally through the BBC World Service.  The band provided the music for a major BBC 1 documentary and has made several recordings\, the most recent of which was for a Radio 3 programme on the music of Charles Ives\, as part of the “Discovering Music” series.  The group has also given concerts in aid of The Voice of the Listener Trust\, the North London Hospice\, St Luke’s Hospice and several other charitable organisations. \nOxford Collutorium was founded in 1996 by a group of doctors from the John Radcliffe Hospital\, aiming to channel their extensive musical experience and enthusiasm into creating innovative and memorable concerts which could at the same time raise significant amounts of money for local medical charities. Under Will Orr’s direction since then\, they have performed a wide range of works from acapella renaissance motets through to premieres of new works with full orchestra. \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/the-bbc-elstree-concert-band-and-the-oxford-collutorium-choir/
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/2022/01/becb-1.jpg
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END:VCALENDAR