Thatcham festival shows off a “diversity” of talent in this years festival events lineup

Didn’t manage to learn a new skill this lockdown? Well get down to Thatcham festival and try your hand at an array of interesting activities, from knitting to 3D printing.

There will be something for everyone at Thatcham Festival with a diverse set of activities for locals get stuck into.

Thatcham Mayor, John Boyd said: “We are so pleased to announce that after the mainly online based Festival of last year, Thatcham Festival returns to its proper stature with a full and enhanced programme of live events both indoors and outdoors with, we feel, something for everyone."

There will be plenty to get involved in, from photography and art exhibitions at the Old Bluecoat School to laser cutting and 3D wood carving with Hackspace at The Moors playing fields.

Mr Boyd added: “There’s a real depth of content this year which shows the diversity of talent on offer and opportunities there are for residents of Thatcham as well as all visitors to our Festival.”

Be sure to pop down to the Big Thatcham Fest-Off this Saturday for a night market, choral music, acoustic music and spoken word presentations.

Thatcham High Street will be closed off and the event will last from 4.30pm to 10pm.

Kennet School will play host to the festival dance gala, which will feature around 15 different dance schools who will be pirouetting, street dancing and two-stepping to the theme of ‘lost and found’.

The town council have strongly advised booking for this event.

West Berks Rock Choir is one of many musical acts this year, with a Proms style evening as the finale event of the Festival on Sunday, October 17.

Choral Music is on offer from Incantata Ladies Choir on the evening before (October 16), along with many other musical events in the festival's line-up.

Many authors and storytellers will be giving their words to the festival with a talk from Heather Barnet, Anita Loughrey, Laura James and Nicola Chester.

Get a taste of history in some of the Thatcham historical discussions, inlcuding the ‘Curiosities of Thatcham’ and the 'Military History of Greenham Common’.

The ‘Words of Recovery’ workshops will focus on the impact of the pandemic and encourage attendees to create words connected with coming out of lockdown.

These workshops will also be attended by poet, and writer of ‘Child I’, Steve Tasane.

Those who cannot attend, will still be able to join the creative festivities online by responding to the theme of Words of Recovery in a special Festival competition sponsored by Newbury Building Society. To enter, visit www.newbury.co.uk

You can find out when and where these events are taking place at www.thatchamtowncouncil.gov.uk or on their Facebook page here www.facebook.co/thatchamfestival