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Last year’s Festival was postponed until August due to the Pandemic, but this year it’s back to its usual slot at the end of May. Running from 21^st to 28^th May the Festival returns with a very full programme of events, activities, workshops and performances.

Topping the bill, the Committee are very pleased to welcome the Brodsky String Quartet back to Nailsworth, as part of their 50th anniversary tour. Since forming in 1972, they have retained a pre-eminent position amongst British string quartets. At a different end of the musical scale, Ken Wood and The Mixers and the Moscow Drug Band Club will provide rather more outrageous musical performances. There will be drama from Liz Grand, storytelling with Chloe, talks on a range of subjects and comedy. And of course, entertainment across the town on Festival Saturday (21^st May).

If you would like to become involved with the Festival or explore sponsorship options, please contact the Committee using the following email: [email protected]

A full programme of activities will be published soon on our website and in future editions of Nailsworth News.

The Festival Committee decided to reschedule the 2021 Festival to 20th – 27th August. This time, the Festival really happened! It got off to a flying start with two sell-out events and a Festival Saturday that felt pretty much like normal, in spite of being a bit wet round the edges. See some pictures from Festival Saturday.

In fact fully booked events became the norm. So, a big thank you to all those who supported the Festival in this challenging year. Audiences have been amazing. As ever, on Festival Saturday (21st August) had free entertainment and market stalls in the town centre. Evening events included: US born country blues artist Michael Roach, in a rare performance with his daughter, Sadie; stand-up poet, comedian and broadcaster, Elvis McGonagall; a one-woman play starring Liz Grand and new songs and jazz standards with Helen Porter.

Thanks to everyone who supported the 2021 Festival. It was great to see so many people coming out and enjoying themselves again. In 2022 we will be back at our normal time of year and the Festival will run from Saturday 21st of May for about a week. Look out for further announcements in the new year.   

Incredibly, Festival Saturday felt pretty much like it did in ‘normal’ times. Even more incredibly, the rain was less of a problem than the forecasts had predicted. Okay, there was brief spell of very heavy rain, but even that did nor drive away the audience, some of whom continued to dance through the downpour. Performers drew comparisons with some previous Glastonbury events where adverse conditions failed to dampen the mood. The performers were glad to be performing for a live audience just as the audience were glad to be doing something that felt normal. We thank performers and audience for their determination to make the event a success. We are also grateful to the traders and charities whose stalls contributed to the festive atmosphere.

Fortunately we had a waterproof camera on hand to record events …

The following Press Release has been prepared for the Nailsworth News:

The Festival Committee has decided to reschedule the 2021 Festival to 20th – 27th August. The reason for the change is the continuing uncertainty about what social distancing rules will be in place on the originally planned Festival dates in May. The Committee are much more confident that a full programme can be run in late August. As ever, on Festival Saturday (21st August) there will be free entertainment and market stalls in the town centre. Evening events will include: US born country blues artist Michael Roach, in a rare performance with his daughter, Sadie; stand-up poet, comedian and broadcaster, Elvis McGonagall; a one-woman play starring Liz Grand and new songs and jazz standards with Helen Porter.

If you would like to become involved with the Festival please contact the Committee using the following email: [email protected]

A full programme of activities will be published in future editions of Nailsworth News and on the Festival website www.nailsworthfestival.org.uk. You can also follow the Festival on Facebook and Twitter. All events will comply with any social distancing rules that are still in place at the time.

The following press release has been issued for the November Nailsworth News:

While the country is still in a very uncertain situation, the Committee iskeen to go ahead with the Festival in May 2021, subject to whatever rules and guidelines are in place at the time. Therefore, the Committee is currently planning for the Festival to commence on Friday 21^st May with limited, socially distanced,audiences. So look out for news of the Festival in future editions of Nailsworth News, as the situation hopefully becomes clearer.

Nailsworth Festival held a virtual AGM on Monday 5^th October.Festival Chair Mary Saunders reported on a year in which the Committee had to cancel the Festival in March because of the emergency restrictions. This proved to be absolutely the correct decision as the situation became more and more serious and we were all unable to leave our homes.

We were all disappointed when we had to cancel the 2020 Nailsworth Festival. However, it does mean that we will have longer than usual to plan the 2021 festival and to make sure it provides a fitting community celebration once we have returned to something closer to normality. We are confident that we can do this and have been cheered by the enthusiasm of this year’s planned performers to come and contribute to our festival in 2021. The dates next year are  22nd – 29th May. In the meantime, please stay safe and stay healthy.

We have issued the following press release:

Following recent government guidance the Nailsworth Festival Committee has decided to cancel the 2020 Nailsworth Festival. 

The committee met on Monday 16th March and reluctantly made the decision to pull out of the Festival, as a result of latest government guidance for people to avoid unnecessary social contact over the coming months. The committee would like to thank all Festival supporters and sponsors and to reassure people that the Festival will return 22nd-29th May 2021.

We are all very sad about this outcome but we are reassured by the fact that it will play a part in holding back the virus and that we are protecting the long-term survival of the festival.