KEYNSHAM MuSIC fESTIVA l

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! At the beginning of 2023, we were seriously considering whether we would be able to put on the Festival or, at the very least, need to make some drastic cuts. It’s thanks to the support of so many people, the Town Council, the local businesses, and the many volunteers who give their time so freely that we were able to make the decision to go ahead.

Well, the sun shone and Keynsham, you didn’t disappoint! You came out to enjoy the events and activities we were able to put on. We thank you for your support.

The Festival week was full of variety as usual –from Swing, choir, opera and comedy to string quartets on Riverside Square and more – making sure there was definitely something for everyone!

One of the highlights of the week was again the Futura Academy evening in Temple Court which demonstrated beyond doubt that we are blessed with many up-and-coming talented performers.

Friday afternoon saw the launch of the first ever Memory Café as part of the Festival. Designed specifically for people living with dementia and their carers so they could experience the Festival atmosphere in a safe and welcoming environment. It was quite magical and is something we will definitely do again.

Completely new for this year was the Nova Youth Arts Festival – an area designed by young people for young people led by Keynsham Town Council’s Youth Team. The area provided workshops, a gallery space, a chill-out zone and their own performance stage. It was a particular joy to see Seb Bailey, who was such an integral part of the Festival team before he went on to carve out a very successful career as a radio DJ, take to the stage with several young DJ performers who he had coached in the weeks leading up to the Festival.

We have worked hard to establish the Saturday afternoon as a Family Festival and, wow, this year it was just brilliant to see so many families enjoy what we had programmed. Wherever you looked there were smiles and laughter and the feedback has been so positive. We are sure this will become a permanent fixture of the Festival. Super Pirates have already been booked for next year! As a result of a couple of suggestions we received, we will try to incorporate a quieter, more sensory area where children who don’t react well to noisy crowds can also enjoy their own quality time.

If that wasn’t enough, we then had the Bath Gilbert & Sullivan Society perform in Keynsham for the first time! The audience were treated to The Mikado, a real treat to experience in a Big Top. The Roving Crows headlined the Folk Festival well into the evening with an energy filled knees-up.

Sunday, with the weather still playing its part, saw four music stages and a dance stage play host to an array of amazing performances. Wherever you went in the park you were presented with outstanding quality, whether it was music of different genres: ballet, flamenco or circus skills.

Another thank you goes to the wonderful, unsung heroes of all our Festivals – The Wombles. Their work throughout the Festival means that the park is returned to the community in better condition than when we started. Yet again, The Wombles say the amount of litter was far less than in previous years so, thank you to everyone who played their part in making the Festival so smart.

Due to a number of factors, putting on the Festival is a huge financial challenge. This year was no different. It was incredibly challenging but, we will meet our aim and break even. So, the last thank you goes to every visitor who was able to donate at the gate. Your generosity has ensured we will be doing it all again next year!!

See you all in the Park in 2024!

Mike May

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