Uckfield’s annual summer festival goes on getting bigger and better and this year the ten days, from July 6th to 15th, are just packed with old favourites, new events and a whole lot of fun. The Big Day Out on July 7th features as it’s centrepiece the traditional children’s carnival procession, with its explosion of colour and sound, while the Luxford Field hosts 100 community stalls and an all day programme of music, dance and drama some of which will be broadcast live on Uckfield FM. This year there is the added attraction of outdoor theatre circus with The Wind and the Sun and an off-beat walkabout show from Rat Choc Chip and, for the first time, there will be a Laser Quest event on the field!
To round off a wonderful day of fun the Festival has teamed up with Grinstock Comedy for another first – a cutting edge Comedy Gala evening in the Weald Hall. Grinstock Comedy is the home of great live comedy and has been nominated for Comedy Club of the South by DAVE TV & Absolute Radio two years in a row. This will be an amazing night with five top comedians, all award winning acts. Book early!
Sunday 8th July is shaping up to be a second great day out with a Classic Car and Bike Rally, and local favourites the Nigel Bagge Band and the Vincents playing for free. The Harveys brewery horses will be around and there will be food and drink outlets available.
The week’s music events provide more groundbreaking developments. The winner of BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year 2017, Alex Ridout, will play in Uckfield just three days before she will be playing in a BBC Promenade concert which will broadcast live on BBCTV. With her brother Tom, who was also a finalist in the BBC competition, and father Mark they are the Ridouts (pictured), a hot number on the London Jazz circuit and playing live in the Cinque Ports Club on July 12th.
For something very different try Faronel who will delight with their medieval instruments in the perfect setting of Bridge Cottage on Tuesday 10th, or for powerful music with drama catch the nationally touring show about the great blues diva’s life in “Bessie Smith – Empress of the Blues” – in the Weald Hall on Saturday 14th July. There is also a free gig every night, featuring the best of local performers, in the Luxford Lounge Festival Club.
Uckfield is a small town but it really does seem to punch above its weight when it comes to the range of top class entertainment that it provides during this eagerly awaited week in July. It’s not just the music – there really is something for everyone – children, poetry lovers, photographers, walkers, bell-ringers, and college drama students.
Check out the full details of all the festival events, and book tickets, on their newly revamped website – www.uckfieldfestival.co.uk