IT may only be in it’s second year, but the Woodford Festival is fast becoming a cultural highlight of east London’s arts calender.
With 95 events taking place across 38 venues, the festival has built on it’s inaugural success, with the bulging programme offering a real spectrum of diverse artistic talents from art, theatre, music and film, to walks, talks, poetry and dance.
Festival co-ordinator Anny Wortley-Millek excitedly tells me: “The festival this year is even bigger and better than last year. We are amazed by the community spirit in Woodford: so many clubs, organisations and associations are eager to participate.”
For music lovers, the festival caters for all tastes. The Woodford Wheezards Jazz Band, led by saxophonist Geogg Seeff, are making several appearances, award-winning cellist Tony Wollard performs at All Saints Church and the Chapel End Savoy Players will present an evening of Gilbert & Sullivan at the Salway Evangelical Church. There is also a special reggae night to mark Black History Month at the Switch Bar & Lounge – an enchanting evening of music and magic hosted by Professor Whizzo at Woodford Methodist Church and the Redbridge Drama Centre will play host to the Woodford Folk Festival.
The Redbridge Drama Centre is one of the key festival venues, with Peter Wolf’s new touring play At War with Churchill returns to the stage, as well as Eleanor Bennet’s one-woman show Off her Trolley and We All Fall Down, which follows a young boy as he travels to hell to find a cure for the plague.
Elsewhere, local artists, including potter Martin Freeston, mosaic artist Amanda Whittle, sculpture Peter Butcher and conceptual artist Margaret Pepper will open the doors of their homes and studios for the art trail, the Leyton Art Group will exhibit their wares at St Barnabus Parish and the Redbridge Art Group will be showing at St Mary’s Church.
Historians, architects and authors will give a series of talks and book signings, with Sarah Matthias, author of Tom Fletcher & The Three Wise Men visiting The Village Bookshop, Dr William Fawcett discussing the fate of ‘unfashionable buildings’ and Peter Lawrence delivering a lecture on the lost mansions of south west Essex.
Local pubs are also getting involved. The Napier Arms is the chosen venue for a special screening of Jo Brind’s unique portrait of the final days of The Walthamstow Greyhound Stadium Dog’s Gone, The George is staging a beer festival and welcoming The Chingford Morris Dancers, and various other public houses hosting quiz nights and live music.
In addition, you can breathe in the fresh air with a literary journey in the footsteps of the famous along Woodford Road. In the evening swap your walking shoes for your dancing shoes, as the Strictly Woodford Dancing takes over the Woodford Wells Sports Club for a night of ballroom, Latin, jive and sequences dances followed by the festival closing party on Sunday night.
Summing up this year’s event, Anny says: “We believe the festival plays an important role in the community as it showcases the enormous wealth of local talent we have on our doorstep, and the organisers are pleased with the enthusiastic response we received from all participants. A lot of work by a lot of people has gone into preparing all the events and we hope everyone will come out in force to enjoy them!”
The Woodford Festival runs from Saturday, October 3, until Sunday, October 11. For full details visit www.woodfordfestival.org.uk or pick up a brochure.
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