Welcome to the Twentieth Uckfield Festival!

Yes, we are now in our twentieth year and bigger and better than ever! The ten-day-long Festival is Uckfield’s big community event of the summer. On 6th July our Big Day, hundreds of children from twelve local schools parade in the High Street and dozens of community groups join in a day of festivities on Luxford Field. All that day and throughout the week there is wonderful entertainment; something for everyone.

New this year! Kites flying on Luxford Field! A walking tree in the children’s procession! A Magic Lantern show! Jazz meets classical Frederick Handel! Rudyard Kipling turns up in Uckfield! And we finish with a fantastic evening of the music of George Harrison the quiet Beatle.

Plus so many now established favourites. Festival Club – free gigs every night! Classic cars! Bands on the field! Kit car Grand Prix, Childrens’ storytelling, Northern Soul, Guided walks!

On the 7th of July spend an evening with Rudyard Kipling in this wonderful evocation of the Sussex author’s life. Author and local historian Geoff Hutchinson takes us back to the year 1933 and invites us to spend some time in the company of Rudyard Kipling as the great author relates tales from his eventful life through his books and his verse.

Also on this day, be sure to watch out this year for the classic car show.

Next up on the 8th of July, we have Peppers Ghost with a fascinating collection of Victorian magic lantern images which they use as the basis for their show. They accompany the slides with music, songs, poetry and readings.

After a thrilling concert with the Ridout Family in last year’s Uckfield Festival Tom Ridout returns on the 9th of July with his own trio in a groundbreaking new project.

A welcome opportunity on the 10th of July to hear the beautiful voice of Natasha Norodien, whose singular interpretations of traditional ballads and covers of material by folk influenced songwriters are inspired, she says, by such greats of the folk revival as Sandy Denny, Joan Baez and Mary Black.

Saturday evening 13th of July features a fun picnic evening of music and fireworks hosted by the Rugby Club.

Up next is the Uckfield Grand Prix with a 10 am warm up followed by an 11 am start on the 14th of July. Approximately 20 teams of 10 and 11-year olds from Uckfield and District Primary Schools compete in this exciting annual Festival event with the Kit Cars they have built and customized.

And to finish off the ten days of fun, on the night, of the 14th of July we have a very special event of George Harrison played by the wonderful ten piece “All Things Must Pass Orchestra.” Be sure to book early for this!

All this could not happen without the unstinting work of the small band of volunteers who work throughout the year to put this on. Thank you, Festival Committee! And a huge thank you to our so generous sponsors, our advertisers, the venues, Gale & Woolgar for the box office, Ron Hill Photography. Thanks to Uckfield Town Council for their financial support, Andrew Ledward for inspecting our accounts. Thanks go to East Sussex National Hotel for hosting our monthly meetings and Mansell MacTaggart for using their signs to advertise the Festival. Thank you also especially to all the sponsors for sponsoring specific events.

Most importantly, thanks to the people of Uckfield and the surrounding area for making it a brilliant week by giving us their support, help and for producing events.

We always need more assistance. If you would like to get involved in any way, please call 01825 764287. Muscle on the Big Day, putting up our tent is particularly valued.

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