2012 Events
Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday
Story time for grown ups (and young adults) – Part 1
JS Watts
Time comes, time passes, time goes, leaving stories in its wake. Local writer J.S.Watts will read three of her published short stories, all linked to the theme of time, across three days in Festival week: Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. There will also be a special sneak preview of her new novel at the Saturday reading. www.jswatts.co.uk
Venue 5: Library (Market Hill, SG8 9JN)
Wednesday, 5pm-5.30pm
FREE
Thursday 27 September
The Cann Twins on Two Pianos
The international twin pianists, whose career has taken them to Japan, U.S.A., Australasia and the Middle East, make a welcome return to Royston Arts Festival following their sell out concert, last year. Their dazzling programme will include music from Swan Lake, Porgy & Bess, Alexander Cowdell’s poignant portrait of the poet John Clare (with St Mary’s School Choir), an Olympic Fanfare and Strauss’ Blue Danube. www.canntwins.com
Venue 18: Royston Catholic Church (Melbourn Road, SG8 7DB)
Thursday, 7.30pm
Tickets: £10, £8 (concessions), £5 (under 17s). Ticket includes programme and soft drink. Booking opens September from Catholic Church Office (6 Melbourn Road, 01763 243117, e-mail: royston@rcdow.org.uk)
Return to the Forbidden Planet
Corvus Amateur Drama Society (CADS)
CADS present the musical adventureby Bob Carlton. Mixing Sci-Fi, Shakespeare and Rock ‘n’ Roll in a mad-cap, high-energy adventure. Join Captain Tempest and his fearless crew on their journey into hyperspace and beyond! Fasten your seat belts, set your ray guns to stun and get ready for a cosmic adventure of meteoric proportions! Directed by Alison Bass and David Atkins with musical Direction by Louise Atkins. Allocated seating. www.cadsroyston.org.uk.
Venue 14: Meridian School (SG8 7JH).
Thursday. Lift off 7.30pm. (Also Saturday).
Tickets £10 & £5 (students). On sale from 2 September. CADS Box Office 07925 674 967
Royston Live!
The Sheri Kershaw Band
Part of Royston Folk Club’s ongoing programme. www.roystonfolk.org
Venue 6: Old Bull Inn (SG8 9AW)
Thursday. Doors open 7.30pm
£6 in advance, £8 on the door. Contact Michael on 01763 249296.
Meridian School Performing Arts Showcase
An insight into the creative minds and performances of the students at Meridian. An informal presentation of performance work from all years. Approximately one hour in duration.
Venue 14: Meridian School (SG8 7JH)
Friday 2pm
FREE
Story time for grown-ups (and young adults) – Part 2
JS Watts
Time comes, time passes, time goes, leaving stories in its wake. Local writer J.S.Watts will read three of her published short stories, all linked to the theme of time, across three days in Festival week: Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. There will also be a special sneak preview of her new novel at the Saturday reading.
www.jswatts.co.uk
Venue 5: Library (Market Hill, SG8 9JN)
Friday 6pm-6.30pm
FREE
Royston Live!
Megson (support: Sarah Louise)
Three times nominated in BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and winners of the 2010 Spiral Earth Awards, Megson are fast becoming hot property on the British folk and roots scene. Their infectious sound is a mix of heavenly vocals, lush harmonies and driving rhythmic guitars and mandolas. “…the most original duo on the British folk scene” The Guardian. Sarah Louise is a singer-songwriter from Meldreth who reached the semi-final stage of the 2011 Live and Unsigned national competition.
Venue 1: Parish Church (SG8 7LG)
Friday 7.30pm Bar.
£10 (£8 concessions). 10% online booking fee applies. Also available from the Stationery Cupboard, High Street, Royston.
Royston Fringe
The Post Impressionists – Professor Anthony Slinn
This lecture covers the lives of the most renowned painters of the era: Cezanne, Toulouse-Lautrec, Degas, Manet and Gauguin. Be imbued with Anthony’s passion for this rebellious and talented group of painters who took Impressionism into new areas of painting – even to ‘Modern Art’.
Venue 11: Methodist Church (Queens Road, SG8 7AU)
Friday, 7.45pm
Tickets £5 from Brian on 07895 095 455
Free Workshops
Our free workshop programme runs from 9am to 2pm. Workshops include acoustic guitar, steeldrums, making the most of your digital camera, speed sketching, storytelling and writing for magazines. For more details click here.
Saturday, 9am-2pm
FREE
Daleks
Meet Doctor Who’s deadliest foes around the town on Saturday morning. How many can you find?
At Tannery Drift School (venue 15) you can make your own mini-Dalek (11am-5pm) and in the afternoon the school will host anAudience with the Daleks (1.30pm and 3.30pm) and the Ex-terminate-Factor (2.30pm). For full details click here. (Donations to Royston & South Cambridgeshire Home-Start.)
Live at Fish Hill Square
Royston’s busking slot
Drop in to find out what’s going on. Maybe a circus performer, Meridian Buskers, the Electralites Majorettes or something completely different. (Don’t mind the Dalek…)
Venue 2: Fish Hill Square (Masonic Hall, if wet)
Saturday 9.30am-12.30pm
FREE
Find your past using computers
Royston Family History Society
Ever watched Who do you think you are? and wondered about your own family? Members of Royston Family History Society will be available to help you trace your ancestors with the aid of the internet.
www.roystonfhs.org.uk
Venue 5: Library (SG8 9JN)
Saturday 10am-2pm
FREE
Present Time: Craft Fayre
Friends of Tannery Drift School
Why not treat yourself or buy a present for someone special? Refreshments available.
Venue 15: Tannery Drift First School
Saturday, 11am-5pm
FREE ENTRY
Travel back in time
Yarnsmith of Norwich
Visit the Yarnsmith of Norwich in his medieval tent. Sit back on the sheepskin rugs and listen to tales from England’s horrible history.
Venue 15: Tannery Drift First School
Saturday, 11am-5pm
FREE
Pizza and Pasta Art
Palazzo
Create your own pizza, or pasta bracelet.
Venue 17: Palazzo (SG8 5AB)
Saturday, 12noon – 4pm (This is a very popular event. At busy times you may have to wait. Pre-book to ensure your place: 01763 226225). Also Sunday.
£1.50 Minimum donation to Royston Arts Festival.
The Science of Time
British Science Association
Join us to explore the science of time with hands-one experiments, Children and adults alike can have fun finding out about chemical clocks and watching things change and deveop over time. Use science to get creative. Run by the Cambridgeshire Branch of the British Science Association.
Venue 15: Tannery Drift First School
Saturday, 1-4pm
FREE
Royston Fringe
GSTARS Dance Extravaganza
A performance by Georgina Wootten’s Dance School. GSTARS recently performed at Her Majesty’s Theatre in the West End and GSTARS Principal, Georgina Wootten performed in the closing ceremony of London’s 2012 Olympic Games. For more details: Georgina Wootten on 07720 713 532.
E-mail: g-stars@hotmail.co.uk www.gstars.co.uk
Venue 11: Methodist Church (Queens Road, SG8 7AU)
Saturday 2pm
FREE
Story time for grown-ups (and young adults) – Part 3
JS Watts
Time comes, time passes, time goes, leaving stories in its wake. Local writer J.S.Watts will read three of her published short stories, all linked to the theme of time, across three days in Festival week: Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. There will also be a special sneak preview of her new novel at the Saturday reading. www.jswatts.co.uk
Venue 5: Library (Market Hill, SG8 9JN)
Saturday 2-3pm
FREE
Messy Playtime
Papillon Playgroup
Drop-in session for 2-4 year olds run by Papillon Playgroup. Give your child the chance to make a picture or collage using different materials including paint, crayons and chalk.
Venue 2: Masonic Hall (SG8 9JH)
Saturday 2-4pm
FREE
Return to the Forbidden Planet
Corvus Amateur Drama Society (CADS)
CADS present the musical adventure by Bob Carlton. Mixing Sci-Fi, Shakespeare and Rock ‘n’ Roll in a mad-cap, high-energy adventure. Join Captain Tempest and his fearless crew on their journey into hyperspace and beyond! Fasten your seat belts, set your ray guns to stun and get ready for a cosmic adventure of meteoric proportions! Directed by Alison Bass and David Atkins with musical Direction by Louise Atkins. Allocated seating. www.cadsroyston.org.uk.
Venue 14: Meridian School (SG8 7JH).
Saturday, lift off 7.30pm. (Also Thursday).
Tickets £10 & £5 (students). On sale from 2 September. CADS Box Office 07925 674 967
Royston Live!
Kim Selleck
Entertainer/singer.
Venue 12: Royal British Legion Club (Mill Road, SG8 7AE)
Saturday, 8pm
£3 members, £6 non-members
Royston Live!
Local bands night
Indie/Rock.
Venue 8: The Green Man (SG8 9JU)
Saturday 9pm
FREE
Royston Live!
Jazz4All ensemble, soloists and singer
Jazz.
Venue 6: Old Bull Inn (SG8 9AW)
Saturday, 9.30pm
FREE
Sunday 30 September
Candlelight tour of Royston Cave
Royston Local History Society
Join us for a glimpse into the past as Royston Cave turns out the lights and goes back to the middle ages. The Cave will be open for viewing by candlelight. For full details of the Cave and the mystery surrounding its origins and use, visit www.roystoncave.co.uk.
Venue 19: Royston Cave (SG8 7BZ)
Sunday 10.30am-1pm
£2, at the door on the day. All accompanied children enter for free.
Pizza and Pasta Art
Palazzo
Create your own pizza, or pasta bracelet.
Venue 17: Palazzo (SG8 5AB)
Sunday 12noon – 4pm (This is a very popular event. At busy times you may have to wait. Pre-book to ensure your place: 01763 226225). Also Saturday.
£1.50 Minimum donation to Royston Arts Festival.
Brass in the Park
Royston Town Band and friends
Royston Town Band will be joined by one or two bands from the local area, in their annual brass band concert spectacular. Each band will play their own individual programme and then all will join together for a grand finale. The music will range from the traditional, big band, popular, show and film: something to suit all tastes.
Venue 1: Priory Memorial Gardens (SG8 9LG)
Sunday, 2pm-4.30pm
FREE
Once upon a time…
Play Music Play (Animators: Linda Bance and Mary Bance)
A story set to music and dance by local musicians and dancers, performing for young children (3-7 years old) and their families. Quiet babies welcome. All profits to Royston & South Cambridgshire Home-Start.
Venue 10: Coombes Community Centre (SG8 5PT)
Sunday, 2pm
Children: £2 (donation to Royston & South Cambridgshire Home-Start) Parents: FREE.
About time: a walk through Royston’s history
F. John Smith
SOLD OUT
Royston’s history is brought to life in this one-and-a-half mile walk around the town centre with local historian F John Smith. Explore what made Royston the town it is today.
Starts at the Parish Church.
Sunday, 2.30pm
Tickets: £5 in advance from The Stationery Cupboard, High Street.
Afternoon tea with
Wendy Cope
It’s Sunday afternoon…why not settle down for a nice cuppa and a piece of cake with Wendy Cope, one of Britain’s best-loved poets? Known for her humorous and poignant take on life and relationships, BBC Radio 4’s Poetry Please listeners voted Wendy Cope their number one choice for Poet Laureate. Her poems have been set to music by Jools Holland and, closer to home, were discussed by Royston’s combined book groups as part of the 2009 festival. During the interval tea and cake will be served (included in the ticket price). Book early!
Wendy Cope’s books will be available to buy on the day from a stall run by David’s Bookshop (Letchworth’s independent book-seller).
Venue 11: Methodist Church (Queens Road, SG8 7AU). Limited on street parking; alternatively use the Station Car Park (pay and display).
Sunday, 3pm
£10 (£8 concessions). 10% online booking fee applies. Also available from the Stationery Cupboard, High Street, Royston.
This event is supported by Hotel Chocolat
and run in association with the Royston Fringe.
Youth Finale Concert
Students from local schools, the Royston Youth Choir and Hertfordshire Music Service’s Senior Windband @ Stevenage bring a Last Night of the proms atmosphere to the festival Finale Concert. We supply the flags – you supply the enthusiasm. Directed by Susan Pettitt (Head of Royston Music School).
Venue 1: Parish Church (SG8 9LG)
Sunday, 7pm
£5. 10% online booking fee applies. Also available from the Stationery Cupboard, High Street, Royston. This event sells out. BOOK EARLY.