John Clare Festival

John Clare Festival 2011, Helpston, near Peterborough

click here for the John Clare Society's website

Friday 8th, Sat 9th & Sun 10th July 2011

FRIDAY 8th JULY

1.30pm at Helpston Parish Church. ‘The Midsummer Cushion Ceremony.’ The pupils of the John Clare Primary School, Helpston bring their cushions of flowers to place around the grave of John Clare. The pupils’ prize-winning poems are read and prizes awarded, followed by music and prayers.

7pm onwards – Langdyke Trust Activities at Torpel Manor Field, part of Helpston’s history since the Norman Conquest. The Langdyke Countryside Trust will be hosting a range of walks and talks based on the history of the site.

Due to the sale of the Exeter Arms, it looks like there may well be no "John Clare's Birthday Music & Song Session" 2012, unless another venue can be found. Previous organiser: 01778 571563 / 07946 758197 pete@peteshaw.co.uk

SATURDAY 9th JULY

From 9.00am – coffee and toast in Botolph’s Barn – near the Exeter Arms!

9.30am Festival opens in the school hall – stalls include the John Clare Society sales, booksellers, local tourist offices and exhibitions. Buy your tickets for the much anticipated concert by the South Downs Singers.

10am (Marquee behind the School) Pupils from John Clare Primary School will entertain!

10.30 (Marquee) Welcome and Introduction to the Festival from the Chair of the Society followed by the Annual General Meeting of the Society.

11.15 (approx.) President’s address by Ronald Blythe; followed by Hugh Lupton (Author of ‘The Ballad of John Clare’)

From 11am andthroughout the day - ‘An Artist’s Quarter’ in Botolph’s Barn
Friday & Saturday - Special exhibition of paintings in The Gallery, West Street, near to Helpston Village Stores & in Bachelors Hall in Woodgate, Helpston.

John Clare Cottage open 10am – 5pm ;

12noon – 1pm and 1.30pm – 2.30pm Poetry Workshops in the Scout and Guide Centre - for children aged 6 -12 years, led by the Education Officers of the John Clare Cottage Trust.

12pm onwards - Village Hall lunches (with music 12-2 & 3-4.30pm by the Woodworm Ceilidh Band)

Peterborough Morris and the Peterborough Folk Dance Society perform at the Bluebell Inn and the Exeter Arms.

Pennyless Folk Duo will be playing and singing around the village!

2pm (Marquee) ‘Changing Seasons, Changing Communities’withBernard Rapson (Fiori Musicali) and Patrick Bond (poet) present their experience of the major project ‘Mad about The Seasons’ through music, poetry and photography.

3pm Guided Walks around Helpston - meet at the Butter Cross

3.15pm – 4pm St. Botolph’s Church – John Clare’s poetry with Roger Rowe

3pm - 4.30pm Teas in the Village Hall with music by the Woodworm Ceilidh Band.

4.30pm (St Botolph’s Church) - Read your favourite Clare poem!

5.30 - 6pm Village Green -St. Botolph’s Music Group

6.30pm in the Marquee at

John Clare Primary School

The Sussex Downs Singers

Songs of the countryside followed by ‘Clare’s Journey’

composed by Terence Deadman

Tickets £10

Including interval drink

From 7.30pm onwards – Folk Music in the Blue Bell

SUNDAY 9th JULY

11am Festival Service in St. Botolph’s Church led by

The Revd. Ron Ingamells (Vice-chair John Clare Society).

12noon onwards – Willowbrook Farmopposite Swaddywell, Marholm Road.

Café open and Farm Family Day events organised by Langdyke Trust and the local Wildlife Trust.