The following events are all in date order.
Illumination of The Sun Harvest Activity Morning
The Royston Fringe
Saturday 19 September
10am – 12pm
Methodist Church
www.royston-methodist.org.uk
FREE
All things that grow and become our food depend on the illumination and power of the sun. This morning will be filled with arts and crafts relating to the autumn harvest, including fruit printing, bread making, pasta pictures, a construction project and lots more. It is suitable for families and children of all ages. No booking needed – just turn up on the day.
Art and the Science of Light
Friends of Tannery Drift School
Saturday 19 September
1.00 – 4.00pm
Tannery Drift First School
FREE
The Friends of Tannery Drift School have organised a series of workshops for children and adults around the theme of science and art, showing how optical scientific tools have enabled art to evolve and how artists have adopted new scientific tools as a new medium. Refreshments will be available.
British Science Association
Cells: Light up your knowledge
Saturday 19 September
1.00 – 4.00pm
Tannery Drift First School
FREE
Light up your knowledge of cells by making your own cell model with volunteers from the British Science Association Cambridgeshire branch. Use an interactive cell model and microscopy photographs for inspiration to make your own cell model to take home.
British Science Association Cambridgeshire Branch
The British Science Association envisages a society in which people from all walks of life are able to access science, engage with it and feel a sense of ownership about its direction. The Cambridgeshire branch seeks to achieve that by connecting science with people: promoting openness about science in society and affirming science as a prime cultural force. The branch aims to do this by engaging and inspiring adults and young people directly with science and technology and their implications.
Royston Schools’ Tree of Light
An Illumination Project by Creative Royston
Royston Library
Saturday 19 September
FREE
From 7pm you’ll be able to see The Tree of Light in the library window. This tree and all its decorations were made by school children from Meridian Upper School, Greneway and Roysia Middle Schools, and Tannery Drift, Roman Way, Studlands Rise and Icknield Walk First Schools. The children worked with light artist Lorna Carmen McNeill over six days of workshops to create this spectacular display!
Concert at dusk in Priory Memorial Gardens
Royston Town Band
Saturday 19 September
7pm – 8.45pm
Priory Memorial Gardens
www.roystontownband.org.uk
FREE
On Saturday 19 September as the sun goes down over Priory Memorial Gardens, Royston Town Band will be playing a special twilight concert. Bring along your friends, family, a hamper and some drinks. Spread out your picnic blanket, light a candle and enjoy a very British end to the summer.
“Illumination – Jesus the Light of the World” – Songs and reflections on the festival theme.
Churches Together in Royston and District
Sunday 20 September
6.30pm – 7.30pm
St. John’s Parish Church
FREE
A community Service at St John’s Parish Church on Sunday 20th from 6.30 to 7.30pm. Throughout history one of the main themes of the Christian faith is that Jesus, as the saviour of mankind, came to bring light into our darkness. This short all-age service will feature poetry, words and music.
A Bit of Light Reading
Hertfordshire Libraries
Tuesday 22 September
7.30pm – 9pm
18+
Royston Library
www.hertsdirect.org/libraries
FREE
If you like meeting up with others to talk about books come and join us in the library where we will be discussing ‘The Brightest Star in the Sky’ by Marian Keyes.
Everyone welcome. Admission is free but places are limited so please register for this event at the library. Telephone 0300 123 4049 for more details.
Copies of the book will be available in the library from 10th August.
Bell Ringing Open Practice/Demonstration
Royston Bell Ringers
Thursday 24 September
7.30pm – 9pm
St. John’s Parish Church
FREE
The Parish Church’s regular evening bell ringing practice sessions will be open for visitors to come along and see the bells in action. Members of the band will be on hand to answer any questions regarding this ancient pastime.
Illumination; Art and Spirituality
Churches Together in Royston and District
Saturday 26 September
10am – 3pm
St. John’s Parish Church
www.ct-royston.org.uk
FREE
In St John’s there will be lots going on. We’ll be running a group art project for all ages (and all abilities) building up a large mosaic style painting by each adding our small part. The theme of the picture is “The Light of the World”. There will also be an opportunity to try out different arts and crafts including illuminated lettering. As this is also the National Prayer Weekend St John’s will be hosting an “email your prayer” event and having a creative prayer space for individual reflection.
Middle Schools Illumination Art Exhibition and Activity Day
Royston and District Museum and Art Gallery
Saturday 26 September
10:30am – 4pm
Royston Museum
www.roystonmuseum.org.uk
FREE
Artwork by pupils from Greneway and Roysia Middle Schools, curated by this year’s Young Curators, a small team of pupils from both schools. There will also be a selection of illumination themed craft activities on offer for children and families to enjoy throughout the day.
Autumn Exhibition
Royston Arts Society
Saturday 26 September, Sunday 27 September
10am – 5pm
Royston Town Hall
www.roystonartsoc.org.uk
FREE
Possibly the biggest, most diverse art exhibition in Royston’s
creative calendar is back again. Come and see 400+ pieces by
Royston Arts Society’s amateur and professional artists. Add to
your collection of Dobson oil portraits, Morgan pen and wash,
and Magee oils, to name a few. All local art. Very affordable
prices. Refreshments available.
Patchwork and Quilting Exhibition
Priory Quilters
Saturday 26 September, Sunday 27 September
10am – 4pm
Market Hill Rooms
FREE
Exhibition of beautifully created quilts in all shapes and sizes from
Royston’s own patchwork and quilting group. Displays include the
Sue Robertson Challenge, examples of techniques and work in
progress, a handmade bag raffle and a sales table with
hand-crafted gifts. Vote for your favourite! Refreshments available.
Art Exhibition
The Royston Fringe
Saturday 26 September, 10am – 5pm
Sunday 27 September 12pm – 5pm
Methodist Church
www.royston-methodist.org.uk
FREE
The exhibition is open to anyone, is free to enter, and just 50p
for a catalogue. The hall is transformed into a beautiful art gallery
with 100 paintings, photographs and ceramics on display. Relax
with tea and home-made cake and enjoy the ambience. A short
walk from the town centre; parking is unrestricted at weekends
in Queens Road.
Entry forms, including delivery of exhibits and hanging
instructions, can be found at www.royston-methodist.org.uk
Enquiries: fringe@royston-methodist.org.uk
Photographic Exhibition – ‘Illumination’
Royston Photographic Society
Saturday 26 September, 10.30am – 5.30pm
Sunday 27 September, 10.30am – 3pm
Royston Town Hall – Hardwicke Hall (upstairs)
www.roystonphotographicsociety.co.uk
FREE
Come along to view the credible photographic work from the
members of Royston Photographic Society. This year’s Arts
Festival Theme ‘Illumination’ is a perfect match for the creativity
of photography. During the exhibition, members will be happy
to discuss the diverse range of images on display and talk
anything “photographic”.
Quilts on Show – Exhibition by Jackie Smith
The Royston Fringe
Sunday 27 September
3pm – 5pm
Methodist Church
www.royston-methodist.org.uk
FREE (Donations to MIND welcome)
Jackie will be on hand to assist and discuss throughout the
display. As a textile artist, she finds inspiration from a number
of sources, especially the natural world and her faith. With 30
years of teaching experience, she aims to encourage others
to also become involved in using their imagination.