Bradford on Avon Arts Festival

Bradford Exposed. A photography challenge.

2010-09-02T16:36:00.000+01:00

Collect five mystery topics related to the Festival and the town from the Fat Fowl and take photos of each topic throughout the day.
You choose which are your best shots and go back to the Fat Fowl with your camera at the end of the day. Any kind of digital camera or mobile phone camera can be used.

Members of the BOA Photography group will be on hand to advise and help. There will also be a display of their work.

Sunday 19 September. Upstairs at the Fat Fowl. 9.30am-5pm. Free.

Events for Young Festivites at The BIG Splash Arts Festival

2010-09-02T15:54:00.000+01:00

Great events for young people coming up:

Saturday 18 September: A Taste of Dahl - the wacky, joyous and fast-paced world of Roald Dahl. All the favourites will be there. For 7 -12s.
1pm. St. Margarets Hall Bradford on Avon.

Sunday 19 September: The BIG Splash Happening Day, featuring the Children's Parade, Talent Competition, the Dolphin Diploma for 7-12s at BOA Library with The Whale and Dolphin Conversation Society.

Sunday 26 September: The Final Splash 11am-5pm. A full day of events at the Tithe Barn Workshops - that's off Pound Lane.

The 48 Hour Film Challenge for 14s+ For any young film enthusiasts who want to see what making a film is all about.

Full details of all these events on the Arts Festival website.

Thinking of Choux!

2010-09-01T22:25:00.000+01:00

Choux pastry - what springs to mind? Profiteroles,
éclairs, gougères, an Eiffel tower
of croquembouches, a Paris Brest?

Whether sweet or savoury, choux
pastry is incredibly versatile, light
and delicious.

Sebastian Rouxel – a
chef of 25 years experience and now
proprietor of Ale & Porter has all
the answers to all of the questions
for acquiring the perfect technique.

Tastings with coffee are included. Book
in advance. Monday 20 September: Ale
& Porter, Silver Street. 3-4pm. £15

Some profiles behind the 48 Hour Film Challenge. . .

2010-08-29T14:22:00.000+01:00

Simon Relph who is leading the judging panel is currently producing the film of Sebastian Faulks novel - Birdsong. He was previously the Chair of BAFTA and has numerous film credits, including Enchanted April which screened last year at the Arts Festival.

Pavel Douglas is a regular face at BOA Arts Festival. Last year he brought his one man show I Shot Dirty Den to the festival. For 2010 he returns to BOA for the film challenge along with his street ensemble, to help storyboard the chosen script and help produce the film.

More later . . .

Don't forget - full film challenge details on are on the festival website.
The deadline for script submissions is now Friday 10 September.

The latest waterborne craze is coming to the festival for The BIG Splash Happening

2010-08-29T12:12:00.000+01:00

Stand Up Paddle surfing - one of the UK's fastest growing sports - is coming to the arts festival. Organisers - South West Outdoors have featured on the BBC and in the Sunday Times “England’s Top Outdoor Breaks” and are now offering all BOA Arts Festivites a chance to have a go!

Stand Up Paddle Surfing can be enjoyed in all water conditions, from massive surf to still flat waters. And everyone can enjoy it.

Definitely a festival highlight. Sunday 19 September.
If you want to know more about South West Outdoors, check out their website.
www.southwestoutdoors.co.uk

See you there.

48 Hour Film Challenge for young film makers!

2010-08-29T11:44:00.000+01:00

Fantastic opportunity for young people aged 14-25 who are into film making!
The idea is to shoot a film in one day, on location at the Bradford on Avon Arts Festival on Sunday 19 September. It will be edited within 24 hours and screened the following weekend throughout the day on Saturday 25 September at the West Barn, off Pound Lane, Bradford on Avon.

Full details are on the website. Have a look through.
Each competition needs to involve a team of 2 to 3 people.
Entries have to be received by 5pm on FRIDAY 10 SEPTEMBER

Get your thinking caps on and GOOD LUCK!!

Become an Arts Festival steward and be part of the festival!

2010-08-29T11:41:00.000+01:00

Just come along to the Fat Fowl on Friday 3 September,
between 6 and 7.30pm when we'll be taking names for stewarding festival events.

The sessions are easy and manageable.
You choose which sessions you want to do.
If you have any questions, just ask us.

If you can't make this date but still want help, a stewarding list will be left at the Fat Fowl on the bar. Then you can drop in and add your name and contact details at a time that is convenient to you.

Hope you decide to join us.

WANT TO DECKORATE?

2010-08-23T09:58:00.000+01:00

Several local artists are decorating plain deckchairs in their own individual styles.
The deckchairs will be in the library car park for The BIG Splash Happening Day on Sunday 19 September, for viewing and later on, for auction.

If you want to deckorate, first find your deckchair, deckorate it, add bits to it, change it, whatever you fancy really. But make it your own! Then either keep it for yourself or bring it down for display and auction with the others.

More information from Ritka Carr: ritka.carr@mac.com

Become a steward and be part of the arts festival!

2010-08-18T21:49:00.000+01:00

Just come along to the Fat Fowl on either Friday 27 August or Friday 3 September,
between 6 and 7.30pm when we'll be taking names for stewarding festival events.
The sessions are easy and manageable. You choose which sessions you want to do.
If you have any questions, just ask us.

If you can't make these two dates but still want help, a stewarding list will be left at the Fat Fowl on the bar. Then you can drop in and add your name and contact details at a time that is convenient to you.

Hope you decide to join us.

Spirit Fashion Show

2010-08-11T09:33:00.000+01:00

Catch up with the very latest fashion
trends as Spirit unveils its autumn/winter
ranges in a fabulous fashion show!

Join the team at the Fat Fowl for a glass of bubbly and
supper as they showcase beautiful clothes
and accessories from Isabel de Pedro, Ted
Baker, Save The Queen, James Lakeland
and many more. The evening was a
massive success last year so book your
tickets early to avoid disappointment!
Wednesday 22 September 7.30.
Tickets from the Fat Fowl
Full details on the festival website

Get the latest copy of Wiltshire Life!

2010-08-08T16:50:00.000+01:00

Wiltshire Life has done the BOA Arts Festival proud this year.
Thanks to the editorial team for a fantastic three page,illustrated spread in the latest edition.

If you want to get the inside on the Working Bradford exhibition at the West Barn and a host of other festival events, be sure to pick up a copy.

Film Shows at the Arts Festival

2010-08-07T07:38:00.001+01:00

Two events coming up for film fans.

Bradford on Avon Film Society are showing ONDINE - a lyrical modern fairytale for festival. Shot against the Irish coast’s magical, Ondine is a story of love, hope and
the unwavering belief in the impossible. Wednesday 22nd St. Margarets Hall.

The 48 hour film challenge for Young Film Makers,comes to fruition on Saturday 25 September, with showings of the film shot the previous weekend. West Barn, off Pound Lane. Timings to be announced.

Full details for both these events from the festival website.

Festival Focus - Venue of the Day: The Tithe Barn

2010-08-07T07:24:00.001+01:00

Tithe Barn ‘Feast’is the traditional festival finale.
The thick stone walls and high timber cruck roof of Bradford on
Avon’s 14th century Tithe Barn will glimmer in the
candlelight.

We suggest that you make up tables of six
(but singles and couples are welcome). Bring something
warm as it can get chilly by the end of the evening.
This year’s star attraction is Golden Gudgeon
Pie. There will be a gudgeon in evidence,but it’s really a delicious beef and ale pie*.

To end the evening, glowing lanterns will be floated
on the Avon, lighting up the water with wishes.

Full details on the festival website

Festival Focus - Venue of the Day: Tithe Barn Workshops (off Pound Lane)

2010-08-07T07:10:00.001+01:00

The Tithe Barn workshops are home to a well established community of artists, framers, restorers and printers, and can be found in the beautiful grounds of Barton Farm, near to the medieval Tithe Barn and the West Barn.

The workshops are open all year, but for the festival they are providing the perfect setting for the last day of the arts festival: The FINAL Splash on Sunday 26 September. In fact the festival transfers from the centre of town with a whole day of events around the Tithe Barn Workshops, Barton Farm and the canal.

The Final Splash will feature workshops and demonstrations, live music, there are water-themed workshops for children and a treasure hunt with The Funky Art House.
Artist Blacksmith Brian Greaves will be moored on the canal behind the Tithe Barn.It's going to be a fabulous. Loads of space for a picnic as well.

Please join us for The FINAL Splash. Full details on the festival website.

Festiva Focus - Venue of the Day: Andrew Dando Antiques

2010-08-07T07:06:00.001+01:00

This third generation family business has a fascinating selling exhibition lined up for the arts festival. Antique prints & engravings with a local or decorative theme, are all guaranteed to be over 100 years old.

Full details from the festival website.

Festival Focus - Venue of the Day: The River Avon

2010-08-07T07:00:00.001+01:00

The River Avon is the inspiration behind River Quiz and an Avon A to Z.

Two quizzes in one, with wenty six quiz questions to answer and twenty six letters to identify. All for a prize of £100.The quiz and letter hunt are suitable for all ages. The letter photographs were all taken near the River Avon, in Bradford on Avon.

Buy a booklet at a cost of £2.00 from:
n Ex Libris Bookshop, The Shambles,Bradford on Avon, BA15 1JS and
n Tillions, The Shambles,Bradford on Avon, BA15 1JS
All profits from the sale of this book will go to the Bradford on Avon Arts Festival funds, to help with the festival next year.
Only forms from the booklet will be accepted.

Hand in your completed form to Bradford on Avon Library or post it to Arts Festival Quiz, The Library, Bridge Street, Bradford on Avon, BA15 1BY
by Friday 10 September.

Festival Focus - Venue of the Day: St. Margarets Hall

2010-08-07T06:46:00.001+01:00

BOA's community hall is the setting for all sorts of children's events during the first weekend of the festival.

For all Dahl fans over the age of 7,on Saturday 18th September there's the perfect treat - A Taste of Dahl. The wacky joy of Roald Dahl's stories is vividly conveyed by Anthony Pedley in his one-man show. Excerpts from all the favourites are there - the good fast plots, lots of humour, a mixture of some extremely nasty people and some extremely nice people. And there's a chance you may discover where Roald Dahl's ideas came from.Early booking advised.

The BIG Splash Happening Day on Sunday 19th September finds the area outside St.Margarets Hall transformed in to a playtime paradise. Just to give you an idea,
there is a seriously slidy, perhaps the slidiest slide ride of all to try. And you
can even pick your own speed. Also a medley of children’s activities including: making juggling balls, marbling paper, compiling a Hungry
Caterpillar book, and creating a collar necklace.

Why not make the festival weekend your weekend.
Full details on the festival website.

Festival Focus - Venue of the Day: The Tithe Barn

2010-08-06T22:02:00.001+01:00

Festival Focus - Venue of the Day: Wiltshire Music Centre

2010-08-06T21:56:00.001+01:00

The WMC have organised a thrilling display of outstanding guitar talent:
Brian Gore, Pino Forastiere and Alexandre Gismonti acoustic guitars

Brian Gore’s style combines influences
from folk, jazz and classical music. Each
year he brings together some of the
world’s foremost acoustic guitarists - the
exciting playing of Brazilian Gismonti
and the dazzling melodic and percussive
sounds of Italian Forastiere. A thrilling
display of outstanding guitar talent.

Check the festival website for additional details
and the Wiltshire Music Centre for tickets.

Festival Focus - Venue of the Day: Wellclose House - Belcome Road

2010-08-06T21:47:00.001+01:00

Join us for the opening event of the Arts Festival!

Elegant Wellclose House provides the perfect backdrop for the Sculpture Garden by candlelight. Beautiful sculptures fill the idyllic gardens. As the sun sets hundreds of candles are lit creating a magical mood to wander around in and view the artworks.
£5 entry including glass of wine.
The Sculpture Garden is open during the day throughout the festival.

Full details on the festival website.

Festival Focus - Venue of the Day: Bradford on Avon and The BIG Splash Happening Day

2010-08-06T21:37:00.001+01:00

The first Sunday of Bradford onvAvon’s Arts Festival is always a
fun and different occasion for the whole community. 2010 is no exception.
WATER is this year’s theme, with events alongside the River Avon. Please wear
BLUE, to tie in with the theme - and we can try a few Bradford Waves . . .

What's Happening exactly. Well there's so much going on, it's best to check out the website and get the full picture. But places to visit include, Westbury Gardens, inside and outside BOA Library, outside the Fat Fowl,St.Margaret's Hall and the car park, the Bull Pit. There's something HAPPENING,pretty much everywhere.Great food and refreshments available as well. Make sure you're there.

Festival Focus - Venue of the Day: The Function Room at The Riverside Inn

2010-08-06T21:30:00.001+01:00

Right on the river's edge, the Function Room at the Riverside Inn provides the perfect setting for a talk about the Bath Springs. Tracing their history from 8000 BC to the modern Spa, former Bath tour guide, John Salvat,gives an illustrated talk, explaining how the springs have made the city what it is today.
Tickets £4 on the door.

Full details on the festival website.

Festival Focus - Venue of the Day: The Swan Hotel

2010-08-06T21:19:00.001+01:00

Following on the tremendous success last year, this enchanting, 15th-century coaching inn once again hosts the Cleverly Brothers and friends for a 'unique' cabaret evening.
The superb Mike Scott will be joining the brothers along with the exhilarating Spill the Whisky. And it's FREE!

From 7.30pm Check the website for full details.

Festival Focus - Venue of the Day: Bradford on Avon Library

2010-08-06T12:42:00.001+01:00

Bradford on Avon near to the centre of town, next to the Kingston Mill development, is both a festival information point and a venue. Suits the library perfectly: multi-tasking within a multi-purpose environment. The perfect partnership.

The library is hosting two excellent exhibitions produced by the Frome Textile Workshop (upstairs and a selling exhibition) and A-level students at St.Laurence School (downstairs). Both are well worth visiting. Great ideas and skill.

With the theme of arts festival well and truly in mind, for children 7 - 12, the library is offering a really fun session (but with a serious motive)that explores the worlds of whales and dolphins and supports conservation.

If words and music are your thing, local singer/songwriter Diana Johnstone and Bristol poet David Johnson give a performance of original English songs and poems, some of which are inspired by the sea and beaches.

Full details from the website.

We need your braincells for the Literary Quiz

2010-08-05T15:53:00.000+01:00

A festival favourite, Quizmaster Jim Wolland, of Ex Libris Book shop will test your
knowledge of books and the arts in a light-hearted competition.
Teams of up to six are welcome, or it may
be possible to place you with a team.

Tickets are directly from Ex-Libris in The Shambles. Full details are on the website.

Festival Focus - Venue of the Day: The Tourist Information Centre

2010-08-05T15:47:00.001+01:00

Bradford on Avon TIC is ideally situated in Westbury Gardens close to the centre of town. Very pretty spot which as well as having loads of useful information about the town and the area, is also the 'box office' for arts festival events. The TIC also has copies of the festival brochure.

There's a great team at the TIC, who'll be delighted to help you with your bookings for festival events. So don't hesitate to call in!!

Please note that for events taking place at the Fat Fowl, tickets are purchased directly from the venue and NOT the TIC.

Think you know Bradford on Avon?

2010-08-04T06:27:00.000+01:00

If you reckon you do, then The festival River Quiz and An Avon A to Z is an absolute must! Two quizzes in one in fact.

There are twenty-six questions to answer and twenty-six letters to identify, all of which were taken near the River Avon in Bradford on Avon. The completed form must be handed in to BOA Library by Friday 10 September.

Full details including where to get the quiz booklet are on the website.

Have fun

Festival Focus - Venue of the day: West Barn (off Pound Lane)

2010-08-03T21:54:00.000+01:00

West Barn is packed with festival events this year:

The Literary Quiz: 18 September - evening
Kirst Glasbrook Tapestry Weaving workshop: 20 September - all day
Bradford Baroque Band: 20 September - evening
Marbling Workshop: 21 September - all day
An Evening for Climate Change: 21 September - evening
Robert Race's Toy Workshop: 22 September - all day
Silver Service Teaparty: 23 September - afternoon
Working Bradford photographic exhibition: 25 & 26 September - daytime
A Classic Ghost Story: 25 September - evening

Full details on the website

48 Hour Film Challenge for Young Film Makers!

2010-08-03T21:37:00.002+01:00

Fantastic opportunity for young people aged 14-25 who are into film making!
The idea is to shoot a film in one day, on location at the Bradford on Avon Arts Festival on Sunday 19 September. It will be edited within 24 hours and screened the following weekend throughout the day on Saturday 25 September at the West Barn, off Pound Lane, Bradford on Avon.

Full details are on the website. Have a look through. Each competition needs to involve a team of 2 to 3 people. Entries have to be received by 5pm on Friday 3 September. Get your thinking caps on and GOOD LUCK!!

A Taste of Dahl . . .

2010-08-03T09:12:00.000+01:00

For all Dahl fans over the age of 7, here's the perfect arts festival treat.

The wacky joy of Roald Dahl's stories is vividly conveyed by Anthony Pedley in his one-man show A Taste of Dahl. Excerpts from all the favourites are there - the good fast plots, lots of humour, a mixture of some extremely nasty people and some extremely nice people. And there's a chance you may discover where Roald Dahl's ideas came from.

Saturday 18 September. 1pm. St.Margaret's Hall.
Full details on the website. Early booking advised.

The 50 word murder mystery - written yours yet?

2010-08-03T08:21:00.000+01:00

Closing date for the 50 word murder mystery is just two weeks away: August 18th.
All you have to do is write a complete mystery connected to Bradford’s River Avon,
but in exactly fifty words.And don't forget, you can use up to fifteen words in the title. Lovely prize for the winner!

Festival Focus - Venue of the Day: The Bay Tree Gallery

2010-08-03T07:57:00.000+01:00

A superb art and craft gallery in the centre of BOA, with exhibitions throughout the year. Jane Gibson, owner and curator of The Bay Tree is exhibiting the work of 'Three Local Artists':

Sarah Wardell is internationally famous for her delicate work in bone china.

Alan Peacock is a favourite in the town with his haunting and slightly surreal oil paintings.

Rowan Isaac's technique of digitally enhancing his photographs emphasis the nuances and subtleties of his original imagery.

Please note that this exhibition begins on September 3rd and finishes on September 19th. Free admission. Opening times: 10am to 5.30pm.

Festival Focus: Venue of the Day - The Fat Fowl Restaurant and The Roost

2010-08-02T17:08:00.000+01:00

One of BOA's most versatile eateries, in the centre of town, on Silver Street.

The Fat Fowl is hosting a series of great festival events:

Monday 20 September: Three Chefs Night - a very special culinary event.

Wednesday 22 September: Spirit Fashion Show - the very latest in fashion trends.

Thursday 23 September: L'Esprit du Jazz - only the coolest cafe jazz for the festival.

Tickets available directly from the Fat Fowl.

Early booking recommended: 01225 868111 or just call in!

World Class Workshops at the festival!

2010-08-02T11:14:00.000+01:00

Five fabulous workshops taken by top practitioners.

September 20 to the 22nd.

Names to look out for:

Kirtsen Glasbrook: Tapestry Weaving

Robert Race: A Toy Workshop (moving toys and simple automata)

Sebastien Rouxel:Choux Pastry Secrets

Blooming Scrumptious: Flowers At Home:

Jemma and David Lewis: Marbling on paper.

Please note the different times for each of the workshops

The BOA Arts Festival Website is LIVE!!!

2010-08-02T10:51:00.001+01:00

Tales from the water front!

2010-04-25T08:42:00.002+01:00

An unusual water 'happening' took place in 1614, when eccentric Thames ferryman named John Taylor, who called himself the ‘water poet’, made an extraordinary journey from London to Queenborough in a paper boat.

The boat was made of hempseed paper, varnished with the same varnish people would have used on wooden boats in the 17th century. The oars were two giant dried fish strapped to two canes. Taylor turned his time in his paper boat into a poem called:

'In Praise of Hempseed, or the voyage of Mr Roger Bird and the writer hearof in a boat made of Browne-Paper'.

The paper boat record set by John Taylor was the world's oldest surviving maritime record, and stood as the world-record distance travelled in a paper boat until Tim Higham broke it for Comic Relief in 2003.

Under the bridge and over the bridge

2010-04-20T15:31:00.000+01:00

What's this about bridges in Bradford on Avon? Not a lot.
'Under the bridge and over the bridge' is in fact a classic move within the game of fivestones. Bags of fivestones with full instructions will be on sale during the Arts Festival.

The Bradford On Avon (BOA) Arts Festival 2010

2010-04-17T07:42:00.002+01:00

Friday 17 to Sunday 26 September 2010:

The BIG Splash:

Themed round water and the river, this year's festival has some great events planned. They'll be taking place in different venues and open spaces around BOA. Full programme currently being finalised.

First date down - The BIG Splash launch:
Friday 17th - The River of Light Sculpture Garden.

Watch this space!