Wooburn Festival showcasing 'world class' talents gets underway

The annual Wooburn Festival is underway and bringing a celebration of the arts to Bucks and Berks.

In its 56th year, the festival runs until October 16 with both free and ticketed events held across several venues from Beaconsfield to Boyn Hill.

Highlights from the 2023 line-up include a performance from 2018 BBC Young Musician finalist, Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, and a discussion of the work of French artist, Gauguin, by his great granddaughter.

Festival secretary, Claire Hermelin, discussed this year’s schedule and the work that goes into bringing the festival to life.

In creating a ‘high profile’ lineup, Claire said the festival had always been ‘fortunate’ to benefit from connections forged by its founder, internationally renowned conductor, Richard Hickox.

Other musical highlights include a performance from the ‘world class’ classical string group, The Heath Quartet.

There is also a dive into the region’s literary history in the Mary Shelley themed ‘Mary does Marlow’ event, and a ‘high quality’ visual arts exhibition at Wooburn Church Hall.

Claire added that local people were ‘at the heart’ of the festival, both as volunteers and event attendees, and they were on the lookout for more support for next year.

The festival was supported with funding from the Louis Baylis charitable trust as well as grants from other organisations.

Claire said: “Without the extra support from grants and from volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to offer the quality of artists that we do.”

More information on events at Wooburn Festival is available on its website: www.wooburn.com