Due to the current Covid-19 Pandemic the 2020 Kingsdon Festival has been cancelled
We hope to host more events in the future as the current situation improves and restrictions are lifted.
2019 kingsdon Festival
Click here to ->Read the 2019 Festival Review in the Chronicle
2018 Kingsdon Festival
Read the review of the 2018 Festival in the Kingsdon Chronicle
Click on the cover image to view and download.
Saturday 25th August 2018
Kingsdon Festival Fete
Including Punch & Judy, face painting by Sam Holgate, eBikes from eSpokes, craft stalls, entertainments, vintage vehicles, BBQ, cream teas, tombola, raffle, best dressed trouser competition, licensed bar etc.
Click on the text for more info
Kingsdon Festival Big Band
Saturday 25th August – Evening
The Kingsdon Festival Big Band reforms every year for the Kingsdon festival. Comprising of talented professional musicians all with distinquished musical CVs and performance track records.
The band members have played with some of the best artists and venues in the music industry. From the Royal Albert Hall, O2, Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club, not to mention Covent Garden, tours with the Rat Pack, Tom Jones, Andrea Bocelli, Shirley Bassey, Led Zeppelin, Barabera Strisand, Pink Floyd, West End musicals, film soundtracks (Gladiator, Lord of the Rings). Found out more about this amazing line up by clicking here
At the festival the Kingsdon Big Band will play a repertoire of popular big band and swing numbers including Glen Miller’s “In The Mood” and Little Brown Jug”; Dave Brubeck’s”Take Five”; Herbie Hancock’s “Chameleon” and “Watermelon Man”; Elton John’s “Crocodile Rock” and Stevie Wonder’s “I Wish” all arranged to get you on your feet or at the very least get your feet tapping.
Fronting the band is Heather Wensley. Heather’s a professional vocalist taking time out from her own band “The Heather Wensley Quartet” to make a guest appearance at the Kingsdon Festival.
The Kingsdon Big Band
| Alto Saxophones | Tenor Saxophones | Baritone Saxophone |
| Edward Leaker, Emily Thomas | Alex Western-King, Steve Hacking | Andy Keenan |
| Trumpets | Trombones | Piano |
| Lee Vivian, Paul Harris, Sarah Alsop, Sean Hollis | Keith Thomas, Andy Crompton, James Thomas, Andy Fawbert | Mark Shelvey |
| Bass Guitar | Drums | Vocals |
| Nigel Dodge | John Rackham | Heather Wensley |
Sunday 26th August 2018
Morning Songs of Praise in the Festival Marquee
As part of the Village Festival over the August Bank Holiday weekend, the annual ‘Songs of Praise’ will take place on the Sunday (11am) in the Marquee on the village green.
You are all warmly invited to choose a hymn to be sung in the service that may have special meaning for you or perhaps you might just very much like
Sunday Afternoon 26th August 2018 – Village Picnic and Fun Dog Show
Licensed Bar from 12:00pm
BBQ from 5:30pm – 9:00pm
Sunday Evening 26th August 2018
The Jo Burt Experience
Live Music, dancing, BBQ and licensed bar.
Jo Burt is an English songwriter, storyteller, singer and guitar player possibly best known for his incredible history working with musical legends such as Freddie Mercury, The Troggs and Black Sabbath over the past 40 years.
The last few years have seen Jo making a name in his own right with his project The Jo Burt Experience. Originally created as a songwriting development tool, in the last 3 years the band have become an outstanding live act playing festivals and venues around the UK, Europe and North America.
Find out more from the band’s website
Calling all Stall Holders!
Kingsdon Festival Weekend could have a new competition to replace the ‘Scarecrow Competition’
‘The best dressed trouser competition’ Only a woman could come up with such a novel idea – Nice one Babs Conway
Kingsdon Festival 2017
Registering for the dog show including waggiest tail, handsome boy, most like the owner or handler and musical sits.
The Kingsdon Festival is a very popular annual, three day event held over the August Bank Holiday Weekend.
The format of the festival consists of three evenings of music and dancing (Friday to Sunday) to live rock, blues, pop and swing bands (featuring Kingsdons’ very own festival band), a raffle, the village fete on Saturday plus songs of praise on a Sunday morning followed by a fun but nonetheless competitive dog show in the afternoon .
To keep everyone fed and watered throughout the festival weekend a BBQ featuring local raised produce and a licensed bar are organised and run by volunteers from the village.
The village fete attracts arts and crafts from a wide area, displays of vintage cars and tractors, pony rides, local societies, local produce, local charities, amusements stalls and, of course, cream teas.
Top prizes in the raffle this year (2017) included a flight for three over Kingsdon and a locally made quilt plus many other prizes.
The organisation of the festival runs throughout the year and the Kingsdon Festival Committee welcomes enquiries from sponsors and exhibitors.
Read the 2017 Festival report in the Kingsdon Chronicle |  | |
| Click on the cover to download |
More photos from the festival….
