Our September Festival, will feature the diverse skills and talents of our creative residents to a wider audience. A little over a year ago, two of us were chatting as we cleaned the church, bemoaning the lack of activities to occupy children during services, but mainly expressing our surprise and delight at the range of talented people in the village. From this snatched conversation the idea of a celebratory festival was born; an honest attempt to discover and celebrate not the talents of the gifted few, but all those skills which make everyday life so pleasant.

For us, it has been a long journey of discovery and enrichment, which we hope will bring you equal pleasure. The principle behind it has been to be all inclusive - all ages, abilities and backgrounds. The children over the summer holidays, have been making an array of scarecrows to greet you as you drive past, as well as taking photos and producing pictures for the children’s competitions.

Saxtead has been ringing with the melodious sound of youngsters playing instruments and singing their heart out in readiness for the Sunday afternoon concert in All Saints Church, a fitting finale to a weekend of energetic and skilful activity.

The weekend will feature local people demonstrating skills from making wattle and daub to various forms of needlecraft, plus the chance to be creative with paint or poetry in the aptly named Creative Corner. The church will be adorned with flowers as part of Sunday’s Flower and Harvest Festival in which you are invited to participate. Why not enter the giant marrow competition or watch a Qigong session?

We have been lucky in securing some excellent local speakers: on Friday evening, Roy Tricker on the theme of All Saints, Saxtead; on Saturday morning Jon Sullivan, all about Saxtead Mill and his family’s long connection with it. On Saturday afternoon Sarah Ridgard will tell us about her book ‘Seldom Seen’ set around Tannington and Wilby.

Sixteen local artists will be showing their work in a variety of media at Trust Farm Studio, with a ‘take part in art’ area for you to have a go, and a display of all entries in the adult photographic and children’s art competitions. Many more traditional games and refreshments will be divided between The Green, the area round All Saints Church and Trust Farm. Pre-book lunch at The Old Mill House on Saturday, drop in for tea on the Green after a look round the vintage and classic cars on Saturday afternoon, or treat yourself to refreshments after Sunday’s concert.

Sue Ward and Lorette Roberts (Framfare Magazine)