COCKTAILS WITH Joyce Grenfell

7:00 for 7:30 pm – St Leonard’s Church

Following their sell-out success in 2024 with Come Rain, Come Shine, the London Revue Company returns to the Flamstead Arts Festival with this delightfully funny musical revue in which Nicola transports us back to Britain in the 40s and 50s with her recreation of national treasure, Joyce Grenfell. The evening features the best of Joyce‘s comedy songs and monologues from ‘Stately as a Galleon’ to ‘School Nativity Play’. Add to the mix comic numbers by Flanders & Swann and Noël Coward, and you have all the ingredients for a delicious cocktail-time encounter with one of Britain’s best-loved comediennes.

Written & Performed by Nicola Keen & Malcolm McKee

“an amazing show … a fantastic evening” – BBC

“the smashing, high-quality London Revue Company” – The Independent

“Nicola Keen is a wonderfully funny performer”   – Time Out, New York 

“Malcolm McKee – a musician and arranger with a wicked sense of humour” – Birmingham Post

Heritage Craft Fair

10:00 am to 4:00 pm – Church, Churchyard and Village Hall

Learn about and buy traditional arts and crafts:

Basketry Weaving – Glenys Newton – Church (Tower Room or nearby)
Blacksmithing – Peter Williamson, Petefire Artist Blacksmith – Churchyard
Brick and Flint – Lynn Mathias, Mathias Restoration – Churchyard
Ceramic Bowls – Katharine Collins – Marquee in churchyard or Village Hall (tbd)
Indian Block Art – Jesline Kirubajinie – Village Hall
Nature Art – Emilie Griffin – Churchyard
Pottery – Emily Good – Village Hall
Pottery – Tara Dolby – Marquee in churchyard
Stained Glass – Karen Davies – Church (Tower Room)
Wood Turning – Adam Blackie & associates, Herts & Beds Woodturners – Churchyard

Talk

11:00 am – Spotted Dog pub

Charles Pither: “Ipseity”

Charles Pither used Briggens, Lord Aldenham’s home,  on the Hertfordshire/Essex border as the setting for his novel Ipseity and undertook detailed research into the unknown working of what became section XIV of the SOE.

During the talk he will explore the workings of this fascinating unit and describe how forged documents were produced for the brave agents about to be dropped into occupied France.

Talk & Demonstration

2:00 pm – St Leonard’s Church

Glenys Newton: “A Stick in Time”

Basketry through the ages: a weaving demonstration and talk with Glenys Newton

More (on Saturday)

Food & Drink:
Blue Tangerine Horsebox Cafe, by Village Hall, approx 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Normal food and drink service at village pubs (nearby Three Blackbirds & Spotted Dog).

Flamstead Heritage & Flamstead Society: Village Hall, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Find out more about the National Lottery funded Flamstead Heritage Project, which ran from 2017 to 2024. The project saved St Leonard’s, was responsible for an amazing range of heritage activities from 2022 to 2024, and has a legacy that continues today: for example through online publishing of Flamstead’s fascinating archives.

On the stand, there will be information about Flamstead Heritage and the Flamstead Society, displays of mediaeval cutlery, and the sale of literature and souvenir coasters.

In Concert: Ben Earle & Friends

7:30 pm – St Leonard’s Church

Ben Earle of The Shires, musician, singer, songwriter, radio presenter and podcaster returns to his home village to headline this year’s Flamstead Arts Festival. Ben is probably the best known Country music artist outside Nashville and currently number 1 in UK. It is an honour to have him perform for the festival again this year.

Relax in the Churchyard

12:30 pm to 4:00 pm – Churchyard

1:30 pm Ver Players Ukulele Band

1:30 pm Children’s photography winner announcement (at start of Ver Players set)

12:30 pm – 4:30 pm Hog Roast – The Spotted Dog

More (on Sunday)

Church tours: inside St Leonard’s, afternoon only; see chalkboard for times

Art Exhibition and Sales

St Leonard’s Church
12:00 pm to 4:00 pm Friday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Saturday and Sunday – except when church is in use for services, festival events, or event set-up/rehearsals.

Artists exhibiting: Linda Brown • Virginia Corbett • Anna Goldsmith • Roger Harlow • Dione Verulam • Esther Wragg • Stephen Wragg.

All the art being exhibited at the Festival is for sale. Speak to one of the artists (if available) or one of the festival staff to find out more.

Children’s Photography Competition

This year, we’re inviting young photographers to capture something that inspires them right here in Flamstead. Whether it’s nature, architecture, or a moment they find beautiful or interesting, we’d love to see their unique perspective.

Competition Details:

• Open to children of all ages up to 15 years
• Each child may submit one photo
• Photos must be taken within Flamstead
• Digital submissions only

If your child plans to photograph people, please ensure permission is obtained beforehand.

How to Enter:

Email the photo to: claire@flamsteadartsfestival.org
(Be sure to include the child’s name with the entry)