BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Dorchester Festival - ECPv6.15.18//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH 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:20260509T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260509T213000 DTSTAMP:20261027T124114 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:20260509T200000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260509T213000 DTSTAMP:20261027T124114 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:20260510T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260510T110000 DTSTAMP:20261027T124114 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:20261027T124114 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:20261027T124114 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:20261027T124114 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:20261027T124114 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:20261027T124114 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:20260510T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260510T160000 DTSTAMP:20261027T124114 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:20261027T124114 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:20260531T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260531T170000 DTSTAMP:20261027T124114 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 END:VCALENDAR