BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Dorchester Festival - ECPv6.15.18//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Dorchester Festival
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://dorchesterfestival.com
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Dorchester Festival
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:Europe/London
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:BST
DTSTART:20250330T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:GMT
DTSTART:20251026T010000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:BST
DTSTART:20260329T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:GMT
DTSTART:20261025T010000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:BST
DTSTART:20270328T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:GMT
DTSTART:20271031T010000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260531T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260531T170000
DTSTAMP:20261016T213828
CREATED:20220106T095525Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260526T083212Z
UID:3900-1780221600-1780246800@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:John Rutter Come & Sing
DESCRIPTION:This event is now SOLD OUT! \nSir John Rutter\, one of the UK’s foremost choral composers\, leads a Come & Sing day in Dorchester Abbey.  He explores some of his favourite treasures of English church music – and brings along some of his own well-loved shorter choral favourites.  Copies will be provided!  Enthusiastic singers of all levels are welcome to a hugely enjoyable day with this inspirational teacher. The singing day is aimed primarily at singers with some choral experience\, but all are welcome. \nThe timetable for the day will be:\nRegistration & coffee 10.00am\nSinging 11am – 4.45pm\nLunch 12.45 – 2pm (book lunch with your singing ticket)\nAfternoon tea break 3.25-3.45pm \nAccomplished soloist and accompanist Anita D’Attellis will be the accompanist for the day. \n  \n  \n  \nIf you’re not a singer do drop by the Abbey & listen at the back – completely for FREE! \nLunches bookable in advance through our ticketing website will be:\n– a roll with either pulled pork salad or Pecan Apple Chickpea Salad (Vegan )\n– a carton of fruit juice and/or tea/coffee\n– a piece of fruit\nGluten and other dietary requirements can be catered for on request – just contact us! festival@dorchester-abbey.org.uk \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/john-rutter/
LOCATION:Dorchester Abbey\, High Street\, Dorchester-on-Thames\, Oxfordshire\, OX10 7HH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Classical,Music,Workshops & Demos
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dorchesterfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/rutter.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260510T193000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260510T213000
DTSTAMP:20261016T213828
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
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260510T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260510T160000
DTSTAMP:20261016T213828
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:20260510T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260510T153000
DTSTAMP:20261016T213828
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
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dorchesterfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/malcolm-guite-event.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260510T113000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260510T130000
DTSTAMP:20261016T213828
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:20260510T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260510T130000
DTSTAMP:20261016T213828
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:20260510T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260510T113000
DTSTAMP:20261016T213828
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:20260510T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260510T130000
DTSTAMP:20261016T213828
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:20260510T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260510T110000
DTSTAMP:20261016T213828
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:20260509T200000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260509T213000
DTSTAMP:20261016T213828
CREATED:20220111T061621Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260215T092433Z
UID:4077-1778356800-1778362200@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Birdsong Walk - Evensong
DESCRIPTION:Tickets £15 limited numbers! \nBird song is at its best in May\, so join local naturalists Richard Tilley and Roger Seabrook for a guided evening amble around Dorchester’s three water meadows\, courtesy of the Hurst Water Meadow Trust. Relax into a gentle walk listening to the birds sing their final songs of the day and pick up tips on how to identify birds by their calls. \nIf you can get up early in the morning you might like to try the Dawn Chorus Walk! \nWalk starts at the Hurst Water Meadow bridge: what3words ///dissolve.redefined.inflation or grid reference SU5813294311 \nPlease dress warmly.  Not suitable for dogs unless reliably quiet and well behaved. \nOne and a half to two hours walk with two stiles to cross. \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/birdsong/
LOCATION:Hurst Bridge
CATEGORIES:Family,Family & Children
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://dorchesterfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ChatGPT-Image-Jan-7-2026-08_03_00-PM.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260509T193000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260509T213000
DTSTAMP:20261016T213828
CREATED:20220106T112926Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260215T092344Z
UID:3922-1778355000-1778362200@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Symphonic Abba - The Thames Valley Festival Orchestra
DESCRIPTION:Tickets £30/£25/£20\nChildren 16 and under 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. \nThe Thames Valley Festival Orchestra returns to Dorchester Abbey with their 65 piece symphony orchestra and a brand new programme: ‘An Evening of Symphonic ABBA’.  This follows their sold out performances of ‘An Evening of Symphonic Prog Rock’ in September 2025 and ‘A Symphonic Tribute to Queen’ in April 2024.  They fill the Abbey with the sounds of these amazing orchestral arrangements by Louis Clark of the most popular music of the legendary band\, ABBA. \nTo celebrate 52 years since ABBA won the Eurovision Song Contest in the UK\, the orchestra will perform perennial favourites such as SOS\, Mamma Mia\, I Have a Dream\, Money Money Money\, Chiquitita\, Dancing Queen\, Super Trouper and many more. \nLouis Clark was legendary for his work as keyboard player and string arranger with The Electric Light Orchestra\, ELO Part II and The Orchestra and for creating the Hooked on Classics series of recordings.  These superb arrangements show off the orchestra in its full range of colour and sound. \nConductor: Stephen Ellery                            Leader: Guy Haskell \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/tvfo/
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/tvfo-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260509T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260509T160000
DTSTAMP:20261016T213828
CREATED:20220122T162544Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260407T085012Z
UID:4260-1778335200-1778342400@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Secrets of the Best Curry in Dorchester-on-Thames
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! \nCurry Masterclass with Sanjay Dhrona\, The White Hart Hotel \nJoin Sanjay Dhrona\, owner of The White Hart in Dorchester-on-Thames\, for a special two-hour curry masterclass revealing the Secrets of the Best Curry in Dorchester.  Known for its vibrant Thali nights and food-forward dining experience\, The White Hart has become a destination for bold\, flavour-packed dishes. Now\, Sanjay is lifting the lid on his much-loved traditional “desi” curry sauce – the heart of a proper homestyle curry. \nThe session begins with a tasting of marinated and grilled tandoori chicken and paneer\, served with a rich\, comforting curry sauce. Sanjay will then guide you through all the key ingredients\, sharing techniques and tips in a live cooking demonstration. \nThere will be plenty of time for questions\, foodie chat\, and – for this event only – a few very special family secrets. \nShhh… just don’t tell the rest of the village. \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/curry/
LOCATION:The White Hart Hotel\, High St\, Dorchester on Thames\, Oxon\, OX107HN\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Cookery Demos,Food & Drink,Workshops & Demos
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dorchesterfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/currySO.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260509T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260509T153000
DTSTAMP:20261016T213828
CREATED:20220106T135029Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260215T090652Z
UID:3937-1778335200-1778340600@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Dorchester Houses and History
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: £17 \nProfessor Malcolm Airs FSA\, FRHistSoc \nRenowned architectural historian Malcolm Airs will lead a 90 minute walk through the heart of the village to explore Dorchester’s fascinating architectural history and to explain the development of its houses from the Middle Ages to the present day. This will be a unique opportunity to discover the history of the buildings which line the High Street\, in some cases seeing the backs of the houses from their gardens for the first time! \nThis walk will almost all be on pavements and can be done in a wheelchair but some help may be needed for cobbled areas and kerbs.  Do get in touch if you have any questions about accessibility and we will do our best to help. \nThese walking tours sell out very quickly so book early!  If you’re interested in other walking tours you might like to try one of the Birdsong Walks – Dawn Chorus or Evensong \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/dorchester-houses-and-history/
LOCATION:Dorchester Abbey Porch\, Dorchester Abbey\, Dorchester on Thames\, Oxfordshire\, OX10 7HH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Art, History, Film & Literature,History
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dorchesterfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/sold-out-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260509T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260509T123000
DTSTAMP:20261016T213828
CREATED:20260122T121004Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260224T155602Z
UID:5230-1778322600-1778329800@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Imma Bakery sourdough demo
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! \nTona Erreguin Head Chef of Imma Bakery\, an award-winning artisan bakery in Stoke Row\, Oxfordshire\, brings her passion for bread and sourdough to Dorchester!  Tona will demonstrate how to achieve the perfect sourdough loaf and craft some of the delicious pastries that make Imma famous.  This 2 hour demo takes place in a stunning private kitchen with limited tickets so there are lots of opportunities to taste and ask questions. \nFrom studying philosophy in Argentina to becoming a renowned chef\, Tona shares her unique path and passion for creating the UK’s best plain sourdough. 2025 Baking Industry Awards Baker of the Year and Winner of ‘Britain’s Best loaf’ 2024\, Tona is the absolute expert on all things bread. \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/imma/
LOCATION:57 Abingdon Rd\, 57 Abingdon Rd\, Dorchester on Thames\, Oxon\, OX10 7LB\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Cookery Demos,Food & Drink,Workshops & Demos
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dorchesterfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/immaSO.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260509T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260510T170000
DTSTAMP:20261016T213828
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:20260509T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260509T160000
DTSTAMP:20261016T213828
CREATED:20240113T101641Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260215T092213Z
UID:4706-1778320800-1778342400@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Pet portraits with Personality!
DESCRIPTION:Tickets £70 \nLunch available for purchase from the food and gift fair in the Cloister Garden open 10am-5pm \nAll levels of painter are welcome to work with Lucy Burton on a stage by stage process to create a Pet Portrait in Oils or Acrylics  You’ll use an ‘islands to oceans’ method of working\, aiming to make the eyes come alive and give the animal and your painting lots of personality! Lucy will inspire you with some new ideas and techniques to take away with you and apply to your own work. \nYou will be working from your own image\, either from an I-pad OR you can use a photograph at least 5” x 5”.  The animal’s eyes must be clear and in focus. Crop your image so that it is square.  The head of the animal should take up most of the frame. For good (free to use) reference images see www.pixabay.com \nThe better the reference image – the better the painting! \nLucy Burton is an oil painter and tutor based in Leamington Spa\, who takes commissions and runs many workshops at home and across the Midlands and South West.  She offers a wide selection of painting workshops from ‘still life’ and ‘landscapes’ to ‘portraiture’\, ‘abstraction’ and experimental techniques\, using oils\, acrylics and collage. Workshops are suitable for beginners and practicing artists alike\, the critique is individually focused with no ‘right’\, ‘wrong’ or ‘expected’ outcome\, but rather a goal of individual development and original expression. \nAvailable to buy on the day £5:  8” x 8” Ampersand gessoboard or buy here \nWhat to bring: (with links to where to buy)\nA colour photograph of your animal or an image on an ipad / tablet.\nA black and white print out of your square cropped image as large as you can make it on an A4 piece of paper\nA selection brushes eg. Rosemary Ivory Short Flats nos. 2\,3\,5\, Ivory Filbert size 0\nA selection of artist quality paints – acrylics or oils oils or acrylics eg. Daler Rowney starter set.\nPalette knife – eg. Winsor and Newton size 22\nPaper Palette and a box to take your work home in \n Oils only: A jar and some low odour thinners/ white spirit substitute for cleaning your brushes\, some rags or plenty of tissues to wipe brushes clean. \nOptional extra items  \n‘Liquin’ painting medium if working in oils\nA ‘Stay-wet’ palette if working in acrylics \nIf you need disabled parking or access contact us here – we’d love to help! \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/pets-with-personality/
LOCATION:Festival Little Tent\, Dorchester Abbey\, Dorchester on Thames\, Oxon\, OX107HH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Art,Art, History, Film & Literature,Workshops & Demos
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dorchesterfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/pets.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260509T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260509T150000
DTSTAMP:20261016T213828
CREATED:20220115T112606Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260304T101923Z
UID:4175-1778320800-1778338800@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Latte Art Masterclasses & Professional Throwdown
DESCRIPTION:A morning dedicated to Latte Art!\nLearn new skills and give it a go. Or simply watch and donate to drink as much specialty coffee as you want!\nOrganised and sponsored by the team at Horsebox Coffee Co. & Dark Horse Roastery.\nThey’ll be mixing it up with their ‘Delicious decaf’ and plant based milks to cater for all and really put the baristas through their paces. \nThe timing of these classes has changed slightly from the printed programme. \n10am & 12noon Latte Art masterclasses\nTickets £25\nJoin a one and a half hour intensive but fun workshop for non coffee professionals – delivered by professional barista trainers.\nLearn how to pour some simple latte art so you are ready to give it a go yourself!\nEach class finishing with a mini latte art throwdown competition.  All participants will receive a bag of Emily’s signature Dark Horse coffee to take home! \n2.30am Latte Art Throwdown competition\nWatch the professionals from local coffee shops battle it out to see who will be crowned the Festival Latte art champion!\nIf you are a professional barista with a talent for latte art and would like to take part in the Latte Art throwdown\, please do complete the form below: \n\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/latte/
LOCATION:Festival Big Tent\, Dorchester Abbey\, Dorchester on Thames\, Oxfordshire\, OX10 7HH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Art,Art, History, Film & Literature,Events with Food & Drink,Food & Drink,Workshops & Demos
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dorchesterfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/latteart.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260509T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260509T110000
DTSTAMP:20261016T213828
CREATED:20220106T112053Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260215T092145Z
UID:3920-1778320800-1778324400@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Quintessential - children's concert
DESCRIPTION:Tickets £8 adults / £6 children (under 16) \nA fun family concert!\nWould you like to take your children to a concert but you’re worried in case they make a noise during the performance?  Would you like to know more about wind instruments and ask the players questions?  This is the concert for you!\nFeaturing timeless classics such as ‘The Teddy Bear’s Picnic’ and Frozen alongside interactive numbers\, the Oxford-based quintet will present music to educate and entertain.  Suitable for all ages. \nIf you need disabled parking or access do contact us here with your requirements. \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/quintessential/
LOCATION:Dorchester Abbey\, High Street\, Dorchester-on-Thames\, Oxfordshire\, OX10 7HH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Classical,Family,Family & Children,Music,Younger children
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dorchesterfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/quintessential.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260509
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260510
DTSTAMP:20261016T213828
CREATED:20220107T062301Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T093235Z
UID:3968-1778284800-1778371199@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Mad Hatter's Tea Party
DESCRIPTION:Tickets : £15 children under 10 / £20 adults / £25 with Prosecco\nChildren too young for their own seat may sit on a parent’s lap and share their tea. \n1 hour teas starting at 2pm / 3.15pm / 4.30pm \nTumble down the rabbit hole to enter the world of Alice in Wonderland and eat a delicious cream tea with incredible cakes and surprising sandwiches in the Rectory Garden.  An hour full of fun whatever your age! \nChildren (or young at heart) can play croquet with the Queen of Hearts\, meet the White Rabbit and other characters and help Alice find her way home…\nOr you can simply sit and eat the most fantastic afternoon tea!\n(with many thanks to Dorchester Amateur Dramatics Society for their character performances through the afternoon!) \nAlways a sellout so do buy an advance ticket!\nIf you need disabled parking or access do contact us here with your requirements. \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/mad-hatters-tea-party/
LOCATION:Dorchester Rectory\, Enter by Dorchester Abbey Tower gate\, Dorchester on Thames\, Oxfordshire\, OX107HH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Events with Food & Drink,Family,Family & Children,Food & Drink,Theatre & Comedy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dorchesterfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/mad-hatter-2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260508T193000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260508T213000
DTSTAMP:20261016T213828
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
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260508T193000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260508T213000
DTSTAMP:20261016T213828
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:20260508T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260508T140000
DTSTAMP:20261016T213828
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:20260508T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260508T123000
DTSTAMP:20261016T213828
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:20260507T193000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260507T220000
DTSTAMP:20261016T213828
CREATED:20220107T070355Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260215T091955Z
UID:3977-1778182200-1778191200@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Comedy Club
DESCRIPTION:Tickets £20\nPizza £16 (limited availability) \nFollowing huge Sell Out success at our past Festivals\, you won’t want to miss out on this Comedy Club\, headlined by the very funny Nick Page\, MCd by Alex Farrow and supported by Ben Pope and Celya Ab.  Set up cafe style with tables\, so order pizza with your tickets\, get great wine and beer on tap from the bar and settle in for a good laugh! \nStandup starts at 7.45pm \nIn the unlikely event that an act needs to cancel\, we reserve the right to change the line up without notice.\n(age guidance 18+) \nThere will be tables reserved at the very front of the big tent 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. \nOrder a Sole Luna pizza with your ticket and have it delivered to your table.  All 10″ traditional Neapolitan thin-crust pizza hand-thrown and cooked at 450 degrees in 100% natural wood ovens to achieve a smokey char\, crisp crust and topping-filled centre.  These are limited so buy early! \nNick Page \nWith some comics there’s a moment where you ask yourself ‘I wonder how much of this is true?’\, with Nick Page you might hope it isn’t true\, but somehow know that it is\, mostly. His shows are full to bursting with stories from a life lived on the edge of (self inflicted) disaster.\nIn his shows there are no songs\, props or padding\, just stories packed with jokes from start to finish. The Guardian Newspaper described him as ‘ A bear like man with a host of barely believable stories about life\, love and brushes with the law’.\nIn the last few years he has won the prestigious title ‘English Comedian of the Year’\, performed at comedy festivals in 3 continents and been awarded the Operational Service Medal by the British army for numerous gigs in warzones\, doing everything from shows in Camp Bastion and Kandahar for 5000 troops at a time\, to being helicoptered to perform for 20 soldiers in a patrol base in the desert.\nHe’s reached the live finals of Britain’s Got Talent despite having never watched the show. A typical week in the UK might see performances in pubs and theatres before a weekend run at a comedy club. Between cruises and expat bookings he’s now performed in over half the world’s countries\, and even kept busy during covid lockdown performing over 100 online gigs from a studio in his garage. \nAlex Farrow \nAlex has been performing and writing comedy for over 10 years. He hosts Stand-up Philosophy London and the award-winning Jericho Comedy in Oxford\, as recommended by the Telegraph\, the i Paper\, Chortle and Sunday Times. Jericho Comedy is regularly voted one of the top comedy nights in the country. You can see him perform at comedy clubs across the UK. \nHe likes mixing stand-up with a touch of philosophy and science-themed material. His philosophy-themed solo shows are very popular and have sold out at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2019\, 2021 and 2022. His writing has appeared on Mock the Week\, Have I Got News for You as well as in the Times as part of the best jokes of the Edinburgh Fringe. He’s featured on BBC Radio 4 extras The Circuit and BBC Sounds. ALex is particularly proud of his fundraising for Oxfordshire Mind with a lifetime total of over £200 000 raised! \n  \n  \nBen Pope \nBen Pope is a stand-up comedian\, writer and comedy performer. He has been doing stand-up for the best part of a decade (as an act and MC)\, gigging regularly across the UK\, and taking a host of critically-acclaimed shows to the Edinburgh Fringe – including the solo stand-up hours Baby Sasquatch (2018)\, Dancing Bear (2019) and most recently The Cut (2025) which received rave four-star reviews from The Scotsman\, Evening Standard and The Telegraph\, and was nominated for NextUp Biggest Award in Comedy.\nHis YouTube specials Mr Big Stuff (2022) and Holy Cow (2024) have been viewed 56k times and counting. In 2023 he took Holy Cow on his first nationwide tour around the UK and NZ\, including a run at London’s Soho Theatre. Not to brag\, but Joe Lycett said it was ‘excellent.’ This autumn he takes The Cut on a new 10-date tour of the UK.\nBen has written for The News Quiz (BBC Radio 4) and DMS Are Open (Radio 4)\, has previously worked with the award-winning NewsRevue\, and appeared on Comedy Central’s Achievement Unlocked\, Dave’s Comedy Guide to Life and the BBC New Comedy Award on Radio 4 Extra. \nCelya AB \nOriginally from Paris\, Celya AB stands out as a dynamic stand-up comedian and adept writer\, commanding attention with her captivating stage presence and brilliantly crafted material. \nHer performances have not only earned critical acclaim but have also resulted in sold-out runs and tours at prestigious venues and festivals\, including the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2022/2023 and Soho Theatre. \nShe won Chortle Best Newcomer in 2022 and was Funny Women finalist. Celya has left her mark on notable shows such as Live At The Apollo and Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster.  Her rising popularity is evident in her expanding fan base\, providing her with opportunities to support renowned figures like US comic Maria Bamford and acclaimed musician St Vincent during their recent UK tours. online\, her stand-up clips have amassed millions of views on both tiktok and instagram. \nAs a comedy writer\, she has worked on various programs across BBC including The Great British Sewing Bee\, Channel 4 and Comedy Central\, as well as James Acaster’s Springleaf. She is a regular writer on various radio programmes has made regular panel appearances on The News Quiz. \n  \nIf you need disabled parking or access for the comedy night 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/comedy-night/
LOCATION:Festival Big Tent\, Dorchester Abbey\, Dorchester on Thames\, Oxfordshire\, OX10 7HH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Theatre & Comedy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dorchesterfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/comedy-7.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260507T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260507T193000
DTSTAMP:20261016T213828
CREATED:20220110T072114Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260505T161519Z
UID:4069-1778176800-1778182200@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Rokas Valuntonis - pianist
DESCRIPTION:Tickets £20/£12 Children (under 16) now FREE! \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. \nLithuanian pianist and rising star Rokas Valuntonis has been praised for his “liquidity of sound” and “devilish performances” and has drawn admiration for his imaginative interpretations and striking virtuosity. \nLudwig van Beethoven- Sonata no 8 (pathetique)\nEdward Grieg – Album leaves op.28\nFrederic Chopin (1810-1849) – Andante Spianato and Grande Polonaise Brillante op. 22\n—-\nFrancois Couperin\nFrom keyboard suites:\n– Les Ombres Errantes\n– Les Tricoteuses\n– La Bandoline\n– Le Tic-Toc-Choc ou les Maillotins\nRobert Schumann – Carnival op. 9 \nA laureate of more than 20 international competitions\, Valuntonis won 1st Prize at the 2018 Campillos International Piano Competition (Spain) and previous victories include both the 2013 International Music Competition “Societa Umanitaria” (Italy) and the 2010 Nordic Piano Competition (Sweden). \nValuntonis has performed all over Europe\, including Denmark\, Finland\, France\, and Portugal\, in venues such as Milton Court (Barbican Centre)\, La Sala Verdi\, The Wallace Collection\, Lithuanian National Philharmonic Hall\, and La Sala Casella Accademia Filarmonica Romana. He has also performed with the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra\, Lund Symphony Orchestra\, St Christopher Chamber Orchestra\, Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra\, and Panevėžys Chamber Orchestra \nThe 2025/26 season sees Valuntonis present solo recitals around Europe in venues and festivals such as Lithuanian National Philharmonic (Lithuania)\, Thomas Mann Festival (Lithuania)\, Dorchester Festival (UK)\, Rzeszow Philharmonic (Poland)\, Teatro de Braganca (Portugal).\nRokas joined the City Music Foundation Artist Programme in September 2017. \n“An artist endowed with stage charisma — Daiva Tamosaityte (Muzikos Barai Magazine) \nWe have a major new talent in our midst — Christopher Axworthy \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/rokas-valuntonis/
LOCATION:Dorchester Abbey\, High Street\, Dorchester-on-Thames\, Oxfordshire\, OX10 7HH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Classical,Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dorchesterfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/rokas-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260507T090000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260507T120000
DTSTAMP:20261016T213828
CREATED:20260107T091830Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260310T171723Z
UID:5132-1778144400-1778155200@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Reflections on "Drawn to Imperfection" with Revd Dr Harriet Harris
DESCRIPTION:This event is free to book but we will ask for donations on the day.  PLEASE book a free ticket so that we know how many people are coming! \nRevd Dr Harriet Harris MBE leads this morning of reflection on the Festival Art exhibition Drawn to Imperfection by Dave Nevard \nStarting with coffee and pastries at 9am! \nDave Nevard’s animated drawings challenge us to engage with the strengths and shadow sides of these Biblical characters\, and with the light and shade of their encounters with God. What drives Judas\, haunts Pilate\, gives courage to the accused woman? How do Nevard’s characters carry themselves\, and how are they changed by God provoking\, consoling\, judging\, forgiving\, guiding\, protecting\, and loving them? \nHarriet Harris leads a Thursday morning workshop inviting us to interact with Nevard’s lifelike drawings in a way that helps us to step imaginatively into the lives of these characters and so come to know our own selves better\, uncover some of our assumptions and fears about God\, and discover how we can respond with our full selves to God’s full Self-giving. \nRevd Dr Harriet Harris is Principal of Ripon College Cuddesdon. A former University Lecturer and Chaplain\, she is also a trainer in compassionate leadership\, and a Thinking Environment Facilitator. As a licensed coach\, she supports people to live their lives with a sense of vocation and without burnout. She was awarded an MBE in 2017 for Services to Multi-Faith Education and Community Cohesion\, and elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2022 for fostering Compassionate Organisations. \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/reflections-on-drawn-to-imperfection-with-revd-dr-harriet-harris/
LOCATION:Dorchester Abbey\, High Street\, Dorchester-on-Thames\, Oxfordshire\, OX10 7HH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Spiritual
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dorchesterfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/harriet.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260506T193000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260506T220000
DTSTAMP:20261016T213828
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
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260506T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260506T190000
DTSTAMP:20261016T213828
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:20260505T193000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260505T213000
DTSTAMP:20261016T213828
CREATED:20220106T064633Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260215T091707Z
UID:3894-1778009400-1778016600@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Cate Cody Jazz Supper
DESCRIPTION:Tickets £22 including paella supper\nThe ticket price includes a fantastic paella supper by Paella by Antonio.  Gluten free.  Vegetarian option available \nThere will be a section of seats reserved at the very front 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. \nSuperb vocalist Cate Cody returns to entertain with her sophisticated 1930s style jazz supported by a great quintet of multi award winning players; pianist Dave Newton (voted best Jazz Pianist 16 times)\, Trevor Whiting – Reeds (Chris Barber\, Ken Colyer)\, Dave Green\, double bass (Humphrey Lyttelton\, Stan Tracey) and Steve Brown on drums (Scott Hamilton quartet\, Benny Golson\, Benny Green\, Carl Fontana) \nBe prepared to be wrapped in the smooth tones of the Great American Songbook and the swinging classics of the golden age of jazz\, all played by masters of the art. Cate Cody and her band have worked with most of the UK’s finest jazz singers and musicians including Acker Bilk\, Stacey Kent\, Bryan Ferry and George Melly.  Dancing encouraged but not compulsory! \n \n“Cate performs a song\, does not just sing it. She’s a star”\nAndrew Liddle\, Just Jazz magazine\, 2018 \n\nIf you need disabled parking or access do contact us here with your requirements – we’d love to help you! \nI’m old-fashioned…’ So sings Cate Cody in that hauntingly beautiful voice of hers that puts me in mind of a young Peggy Lee.  She might be describing herself\, because these days it’s very rare to find a Jazz chanteuse with authentic phrasing\, who genuinely understands the nuances\, is capable of capturing the idiomatic gradations and modulations required to Swing. Indeed\, most of the songs she has chosen to put her stamp on belong to that great age of song sophistication\, coming from the pen of the masters of the art. She does full justice to them\, their melodies caressing\, lyrics expressing\, reflecting on their subtleties and breathing new life into them. \nJust wanted to say thank you so much for singing so beautifully last night and for bringing so much joy with you. \nThank you so much for playing for us you were all utterly amazing \n  \n  \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/cate-cody-jazz-supper/
LOCATION:Festival Big Tent\, Dorchester Abbey\, Dorchester on Thames\, Oxfordshire\, OX10 7HH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Events with Food & Drink,Food & Drink,Music,Other
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dorchesterfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/catel-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260504T193000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260504T220000
DTSTAMP:20261016T213828
CREATED:20220105T151553Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260215T091642Z
UID:3887-1777923000-1777932000@dorchesterfestival.com
SUMMARY:Festival Folk Night - Steve Knightley & Rusty Shackle
DESCRIPTION:Tickets £27 \nSteve Knightley & Rusty Shackle are a double bill of brilliant folk night artists guaranteed to give you a joyful\, uplifting evening of superb music.\nThe bar will be open with great beer on tap and good wines.\nThere will be a section of seats reserved at the very front 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.\nIf you need disabled parking or access do contact us here with your requirements – we’d love to help you! \nSteve Knightley\nSteve Knightley is a multi-award-winning singer-songwriter and musician\, best known as a founding member of the folk/acoustic band “Show of Hands”. He hails from the West Country and is renowned for crafting songs deeply rooted in geographical places\, merging historical folk influences with contemporary themes. \n“A craftsman at the peak of his powers” — Tony Hall former BBC Director General \n“Some of the best songs written in the last twenty years” — Mark Radcliffe \n“The gravel voiced spokesman of the rural poor” — Robin Denselow – The Guardian \n \n  \nRusty Shackle \nWelsh indie-roots six piece Rusty Shackle have been tearing up stages around the globe since 2010. Brandishing their distinct folk-roots sound armed with an electrifying mix of rampant fiddle\, slick guitars\, hooky mandolins and banjos melodies underpinned by tight pulsating drums and bass\, they really are a force to be reckoned with. The band have built up a devoted fanbase with their captivating feel good live shows. Their latest album “Under a Bloodshot Moon” stormed the Official UK Folk Albums Chart straight in at Number 2 with no label backing\, highlighting the support of their dedicated fanbase. Rusty Shackle have toured extensively around the UK\, Europe and USA and are mainstays on the festival circuit. They deliver excitement every time they step onstage and give everything they have to steal your heart with their music. \n“‘Under A Bloodshot Moon’\, is an album that features rejuvenated positive and inspiring folk music for the twenty first Century” – Folk and Tumble \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/festival-folk-night/
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/2022/01/folk.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR