The 2008 Bedford Park Festival: June 7th-22nd
Programme of Events
Download the programme leaflet (PDF)
Booking information below
Friday 6 June 6.30-9pm
Art Exhibition Preview
Reception with wine and music. The preview party gets the Festival off to a flying start.
A delightful opportunity to buy pictures,
meet friends and listen to music.
Exhibition sponsored by
Savills (NB: We cannot accept credit cards).
St Michael’s Church. Refreshments and soft drinks on sale.
Saturday 7 June and Sunday June 8 - Green Days Fete & Craft Fair
Saturday 7 June to Friday 13 June
The Bedford Park Summer Exhibition
An exhibition of works by local artists of all ages. All works are for sale and a third of the proceeds go to the Festival causes. (NB: We cannot accept credit cards). The poster is by Alfred Daniels (right). The original will be raffled - tickets on sale at exhibition.
Opening times: 10.30am-6pm daily, except Sunday 8 June: 11.30am-6pm.
NB: Last viewing day Friday 13 June.
St Michael’s Church, admission free, catalogue £1.
Sunday 8 June 7.30pm
- Bach Cantatas
After the frenetic activity of Green Days, a haven of spiritual contemplation. Sandy Burnett leads the West London Bach Consort and Players in a pair of masterful cantatas by JS Bach, as part of their complete performing cycle of Bach’s sacred
cantatas based here at St Michael’s. BWV 112: Der Herr ist meingetreuer Hirt. BWV 73: Herr, wie du willt, so schicks mit mir.
Soloists: Alice Privett; Toby Gee; Stephen Wells. Conductor: Sandy Burnett. Sponsored by
Hubbard Pegman & Whitney LLP
St Michael’s Church. Retiring collection
Monday 9 June 7.30 for 8pm
- Wilde at Heart
A dramatic look at the life, loves and works of Oscar Wilde in two acts,
conceived by actor Patrick Marley,performing with Genevieve Allenbury. From the Lyric, Hammersmith, and Open Air Theatre, Regents Park. “A delightful evening” – Sir Derek Jacobi. “Highly entertaining” – Prunella Scales. Sponsored by
High Road House
St Michael’s Parish Hall. £15 (£7.50*). Please use advance booking form or pay at door. Refreshments available from 7.30pm and in interval.
Wednesday 11 June 7.30 for 8pm
- Only my dreams:
Edna O’Brien on W.B.Yeats
Nobel-Prize-winning poet W.B. Yeats dreamed his adolescent dreams, of
love, heaven, and “Ireland in the coming times”, in the tree-lined avenues
of Bedford Park. Edna O’Brien, one of our truly great contemporary writers,
reflects on, and selects from, Yeats’ poetry and memories… together with our guest poets’ choices on the theme, “Dreams and Dreaming”. A unique Bedford Park summer literary gathering, complete with themed music and our traditional not-too-literary quiz. Sponsored by
Solnick LLP .
St Michael’s Parish Hall, upstairs. £7.50 on the door.
Refreshments available from 7.30pm.
Thursday 12 June 1 till 2pm
- Lunchtime recital
The Dolmetsch Ensemble celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Arnold Dolmetsch, pioneer of the Early Music Renaissance, with a concert of chamber music from the 16th to 18th Centuries. Including Byrd, Morley, Jenkins, Purcell, Handel and
Telemann. Jeanne Dolmetsch, recorders and treble viol; Marguerite Dolmetsch, recorders and bass viol; Brian Blood, recorders and bass viol; Nigel Foster, harpsichord. Please bring a picnic to have afterwards in Rosalind Leney’s lovely garden.
Sponsored by Hubbard Pegman & Whitney LLP
The Studio, 2a Blenheim Road. Refreshments available. Tickets £12,
only in advance from Rosalind Leney 020 8994 0762.
Thursday 12 June 7.30 for 8pm
- Richard Briers: 50 Years at the Top
…and 40 years in Bedford Park. A Festival celebration of one of Chiswick’s best-loved
residents, in his 75th year. Richard Briers will reminisce and take questions. With video clips. Sponsored by Savills
St Michael’s Parish Hall, upstairs. £15 (£7.50*). Please use
advance booking form. Refreshments available from 7.30pm.
Friday 13 June 7.30 for 8pm
- Two Generation Jazz
Sandy Burnett, bass player, is back with his quartet for an evening of accessible, adventurous modern jazz, spanning the generations. He’s joined by saxophonist Martin Hathaway, guitarist Phil Lee and pianist Leon Greening. Plus the young Twyford Jazz Band – the two bands will combine for a closing jam session. Sponsored by the Hogarth Health Club.
St Michael’s Church. Refreshments available from 7.30pm.
£12 (£6*) or family ticket £25.
Friday 13 June to Sunday 15 June
- Artists at Home
The annual Open Studios scheme in Chiswick, Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush. 43 artists are exhibiting, from 6 to 9pm on Friday and from 11am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday. Full details: www.artistsathome.net
Saturday 14 June 6.30 for 7pm
- Honk! Junior
St Michael and All Angels Junior Choir (Ages 7-15) Ducks, Geese, Swans, Frogs, a sly Cat and even a few humans star in this fun-and-feathered tail of ‘The Ugly Duckling’.
Music by George Stiles, book & lyrics by Anthony Drewe. Part of The Broadway Junior Collection. Director/Musical Director Sarah McDowall.
St Michael’s Church. Refreshments available from 6.30pm. £10 (£5*) or family ticket £25 on the door. (NB: Matinée on Sunday 15 June at 3pm)
Sunday 15 June 10am
- Parish Eucharist
With Children’s Church and crèche. Refreshments after the service.
Sunday 15 June 2.30 for 3pm
- Honk! Junior
St Michael’s Junior Choir. Matinée performance: see above for details
St Michael’s Church. Refreshments available from 2.30pm.
£10 (£5*) or family ticket £25 (see above).
Sunday 15 June 7.30pm
- Festival Fringe: Comedy Night
After last-year’s sell-out, sketches, stand-up and song from the pick of Britain’s young quality talent. Sponsored by Oliver Bonas.
Tabard Theatre. £8. Please use advance booking form. Refreshments in pub!
Monday 16 June 7 for 7.30pm
- Round the world and Bach to St Michael’s…
David Juritz began his world busking tour at last year’s Festival. A year on, he’s back
raising money for Musequality, playing Bach’s Gamba Sonata in G major and the
Musical Offering, and Fauré’s Piano Quartet in C minor. With Caroline Dale, Paul Edmund Davies, Sally Heath and Andrew Brown. Sponsored by Hubbard Pegman & Whitney LLP
St Michael’s Church. £12 (£6*). Please use advance booking form.
Refreshments available from 7pm.
…in time for Supper!
After the performance, supper is served in the Hall upstairs where the entertainment will continue. Places limited, so book early.
Combined ticket £25 (£18*). Please use advance booking form.
Tuesday 17 June 4 to 6pm
- Orchard House Art Exhibition
An exhibition of work by the children of Orchard House School.
St Michael’s Parish Hall downstairs. Donations welcome. Refreshments available
Wednesday 18 June 7.30 for 8pm
- Chamber Music in Bedford Park
Brahms F minor quintet in the lesser known version for 2 cellos, and Boccherini C major quintet. Played by Miranda Wilson and Louise Grattan, violins; Keith Berry, viola; Nicola Anderson and Ruth Ridley, cellos. Sponsored by Hubbard Pegman & Whitney LLP
The Studio, 2a Blenheim Road. Refreshments available. Tickets £12,
only in advance from Rosalind Leney 020 8994 0762.
Thursday 19 June 7.30 for 8pm
- Green Night: How can we make every day a Green Day?
As fuel bills rocket, how can Chiswick and the church help the environment and themselves? Practical advice and lively debate. Speakers include David Shreeve of the Conservation Foundation, author of ‘How many Christians does it take to change a light bulb?’ and ‘Don’t stop at the lights’. More details. Sponsored by
Eco Age .
St Michael’s Parish Hall £5 (suggested donation to Festival charities, but no one will be excluded on price!). Refreshments and stalls open from 7.30pm.
Saturday 21 June 7.30 for 8pm
- Wine Tasting and Dinner
An introduction to the wines of Southern Italy. Duncan Ouseley will take you through a selection of wines, followed by supper in a lovely Bedford Park house and garden.
Sponsored by Savills
22 Woodstock Road, by kind permission of Jane and Kenny McKenzie. £25
(to include glass of fizz, wine tasting and dinner). NB. Wine with meal to be
paid for separately. Limited space: please use advance booking form.
Friday 20 June to Sunday 22 June
- Bedford Park Photographic Exhibition and Competition
For photographers of all ages, various categories. Entries close 4pm Saturday June 14th. Details and entry forms from: Snappy Snaps, 83 Chiswick High Road; Lad’s Newsagent, Bedford Corner; Parish Office. Sponsored by Snappy Snaps and Vibeke Dahl Photography
PREVIEW PARTY Friday 6.30-8.30pm
Refreshments available
OPENING TIMES Saturday 10am-6pm
Sunday 11.30am-5.30pm
PRIZE GIVING Sunday 5.30pm
(Voting closes 5pm) Raffle tickets on sale for a sitting and portrait by Vibeke Dahl (right).
Draw at Prize Giving.
St Michael’s Parish Hall upstairs.
Admission £1 (children 50p).
Sunday 22 June
- Festival Mass 10am
Solemn Sung Eucharist with the Bedford Park Festival Orchestra and Chorus. Missa Brevis by Zoltán Kodály. Soloists: Emily Behan, Amy Daldorph, (soprano), Jenny Pescod (alto), James Edwards (tenor), Robert Rice (bass). Jonathan Dods Conductor.
- Festival Mass Lunch
Lunch in the Vicarage Garden for all attending Mass.
Vicarage Garden. £6 (£3*). Please use advance booking form
- Open Gardens 2-6pm
Visit up to a dozen of the most beautiful private gardens in Bedford Park. Entry by ticket (and map) from St Michael’s Parish Hall, where cream teas are on sale. Sponsored by
Chesterton
St Michael’s Parish Hall. £6 (£3*) or family ticket £12.
- The Bedford Park Walk 3-5pm
A tour of the key architectural and literary features of Bedford Park led by local architect, John Scott and lecturer Dr Pamela Bickley.Cream teas on sale afterwards. Sponsored by
Chesterton
Meet 3 pm in St Michael’s Church £6 (£3*). Please use advance booking form (limited availability on the day).
- Rosalind Leney’s Pupils’ Concert 6pm
A programme of solos and duets including first performances of pieces by John Carmichael. Sponsored by Hubbard Pegman & Whitney LLP
The Studio, 2a Blenheim Road. Refreshments available.
Tickets £3 in advance only from Rosalind Leney 020 8994 0762.
Booking information
Tickets for most events are available on the door, unless sold out. Some events require advance booking because places are limited. Family tickets are for up to five people (including up to 2 adults). Discounts marked with an asterisk are for children, students and the unemployed. Advance booking forms are now available in St Michael & All Angels Church. From May 11th they will be in many Festival leaflets and the Parish Office, Priory Avenue, W4 1TX; the Church (porch and inside); Lad’s Newsagents, Bedford Corner. Box Office information from 020 8995 3285 or e-mail: Helen@may.be