Festival History

Picture this scene. A cold winter night in 2001. Rain lashing down, drenching the mean streets of East Harptre. Two lone figures fight their way through the storm to huddle beside the open fire in the lounge of the Waldegrave Arms. Gradually, as the Butcombe thaws their frozen minds, their thoughts turn to better things. Their conversation drifts around and eventually focuses on kind of arty stuff, you know the sort of thing, plays, music, drama, crafts, dancing, all done with lots of other people and generally involving food, drink and laughing a good deal. Suddenly from nowhere they realise that these Butcombe fuelled dreams could infact becomereality. As one they both leap to their feet and shout " WE COULD HAVE A FESTIVAL !!! " And with a little help from some friends, they did.

That was September 2002. For the whole weekend there was an art exhibition in West Harptree Hall starting with a private view and a glass of wine on Friday night. Saturday saw the Taunton Garrison pitching camp for the whole day on Hayden's Field while elsewhere there was a Talent Show and a Blues Band Workshop. In the evening Ken Campbell, who cost loads of dosh, gave the Festy goers a good night's entertainment. Sunday, up and at it! Treasure Hunt in the morning with lunch and Irish music at the Crown, Jazz dance class, Music in the Church and a very small event at the Waldy called the Acoustic Brunch. The weekend ended with the Extravaganza and the birth of More SilageInto the Tardis and onwards and upwards. Over the next few years thisgroup of intrepid Festy folk became more and more daring. Friday night had an event added to follow on after the Art Exhibition; Saturday and Sunday had a bucket load of workshops and events added, such as Oscar's Street Dance, Salsa Workshop, Drumming Workshops,Illustration and Photographic Exhibitions and on Sunday morning themonster of all monsters was the Acoustic Brunch!

The Saturday night spots were filled in 2003 by an hilarious South African theatre group called Fresco, 2004 by a night of Stand-Up Comedy, 2005 saw a visit to the Arab/Israeli border with Honolulu and in 2006 we had an incredible performance by Philip York as Robert Maxwell in Lies Have Been Told

For 2007 there no Festival Field, but just as many events, spread to different locations. Friday night saw the return of Animation Anarchy, if you weren't there last year you missed personal appearances by Wallace & Gromit. On Saturday there was another fantastic night of live theatre. Sherlock Holmes... The Last Act

The 2008 Festival was again a huge success, with several new features - Instant Wit, Bop 'till you Drop, Mendip Voices and a great Saturday night event called Funeral Games. With the new pavilion completed, a great weekend ended with Cream Teas and a great Tourney performance.

Just take a look on the events page for this year's Festival - tickets go on sale from 1st September, so be sure to book early!