Welwyn Festival  2010- the 36th Year! 18th - 27th June 2010

Well the spring weather, when I am writing this, is just perfect, so fingers crossed for more of that in the Week too!

The Mystery Plays preparations are going well, and their extensive programme through the Week means you will all have plenty of opportunities to see this ambitious undertaking.

Very rarely would a village take on this production, normally staged by cities, and we expect to welcome visitors from well outside the village. The children at the Fun Day will be involved, and you will also be able to see excerpts at the Street Market

We also welcome another new event, a variety show, featuring well known local comedian Johnny Tait, whose sell out pantomime last year raised over £3,000 for the QVM.

There will be a pre Edinburgh Festival showing of the thought provoking play “Conscience”, which is not suitable for children

The Social Club are running their darts competition, local history displays, bingo and local entertainment evenings, as well as hosting Welwyn’s got Talent.

We have an explosion of art shows, in the local artist’s house, local exhibitions at the Parish Rooms and the Scout Hut, and in local pubs. We also have a jewellery and silversmith’s workshop displaying its wears.

You can help the Digswell Lake Society celebrate its 200th anniversary, literally on the day it was completed the 21st June, it is a truly tranquil haven to observe local wildlife.

There are walks and talks, including Mr Rook, briefly explaining Welwyn’s last few thousand years’ history! See the excellent new displays at the Roman Baths and Morris Men at the White Horse.

Open Gardens, including a particularly sustainable one, an exhibition of photographs, and WI work, cricket matches, chances to see badgers and muncjacs

The Film Society’s records of 40 years of Welwyn life, Roger Aubrey’s son et lumiere show, beer festivals, a chance to see the rebuilt Wellie, and the Twinning Society Quiz.

The children will be dressed in the theme of Noah’s Ark in the Fancy Dress Parade, and at the Fun Day, there are loads of attractions, not least the Plate Smash, the only time kids (and parents) can smash crockery without “getting wrong about it”!

The Big Prize Draw will be held just after the Duck Race, at the end of the afternoon, and we hope to at least match the total of £3,000 we gave to the 2nd Welwyn Scouts, the Cat Survival Trust and the Friendship Club last year.

This year we will support Hearts Air Ambulance, Jubilee House for Children, WGC, the Welwyn Playground Support Group, McMillan Nurses, Blood Runners Motorcycle Blood Delivery Group and the Tudor Road senior citizens centre.

As you can see from the Programme, we have around 80 different things to entertain, relax, exercise or other wise stimulate your mind or body, so DO NOT spend all of your time watching the World Cup, get out and meet old friends, and support the groups that have spent much of their time preparing for their events

Role on the 36th Festival and all perform the dance to call down a sun kissed Week!

Andy Trotter
Chairman
Welwyn Festival Committee