We are delighted to be able to extend the arts festival this year thanks to the Picture Palace staging a mini film festival on Sunday 18th September and Limitless Academy for the Performing Arts putting on a range of performances in their new Crows Nest Theatre in Melbourn Street.

We have put together a varied programme with the help of mainly local arts-related groups and other organisations for which we are very grateful and all the details are below – OR you can view in date order on the right (or below for mobile phones). Any updates or changes will be announced on our social media and amended on this page.

Please give us some feedback on your festival experience HERE.

ROYSTON LIBRARY hosts a TALK, Q&A, and BOOK-SIGNING by author Jean Fullerton about her childhood based on her new book – ‘A Child of the East End’. Glass of wine (courtesy of Tesco Extra, Royston) included in ticket. When: Thursday 22nd. Doors open 18.45 for 19.00  Where: Royston Library Tickets: £5 in person from Royston Library. or online: https://bit.ly/3OAlIH2

The Neolithic Burial Mounds on Therfield Heath. Talk by
historian and curator, Keith Fitzpatrick-Matthews at ROYSTON MUSEUM on Friday 23rd at 19.00  Tickets: £3 from roystonmuseum.org.uk – Members Free

ROYSTON ARTS SOCIETY will stage its AUTUMN EXHIBITION. View and purchase paintings from local and professional artists in Royston’s largest, most diverse art exhibition. When: Friday 23rd 20.00 -22.00  Saturday & Sunday 10.00 – 17.00 Where: Royston Town Hall FREE. https://www.roystonarts.org.uk/

PRIORY QUILTERS present an exhibition of quilts, needlework and textile items with some patchwork demonstrations. When: Saturday 24th 10.00 – 17.00 & Sunday 25th 10.00 – 16.00 Where: Market Hill Rooms FREE . Tea, coffee & cake on sale.

ROYSTON PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY presents an Exhibition of photographs from members of the Society with their interpretation of the theme “Circle of Life”.  When: Saturday & Sunday 10.00 – 16.30 Where: Royston Town Hall FREE. roystonphotographicsociety.co.uk

Creative Royston staged a Creative Writing Competition and a Poetry Competition for this year’s festival with £50 in book vouchers for winning entries and judging has now taken place. We are very grateful to our judges, children’s author Kate Rosevear, David Blundell from Rotary Club Royston, poets J.S.Watts and Jude Simpson, and to Rotary Club Royston for putting up most of the prize money for the book vouchers from David’s Bookshop in Letchworth which gave us a generous discount. You can read the entries for the competitions and see which ones won the prizes by viewing our post, which contains links to both, by clicking HERE.

For the last few years Creative Royston has been very fortunate to be associated with Stacey Leigh-Ross who is a wonderful ‘community artist’ living in Royston. The front cover of the September edition of The Listing magazine is adorned with her original artwork which she creates by taking inspiration from children’s entries into our Schools Cover Art Competition on the festival theme ‘Circle of Life’. You can view the entries which particularly inspired Stacey by clicking HERE and you can see all the entries and the original artwork on display in Royston Library from Friday 9th September.

Also, watch out for Royston First’s  BEST DRESSED WINDOW competition taking place in the High Street from Saturday 17th. See if you can select the likely winner before the judges decide on Saturday 24th.

Sing with the Royston Roses – Icknield Walk First School, Wednesday 21st 19:30 – 21:00. A choir open evening, where you can learn and sing a new arrangement of Sir Elton John’s Circle of Life. Adults 16-116, FREE

All Sing at Coombes  Community Centre. Friday 23rd 17:00 – 18:00, An hour of singing for all generations together. Any age, young or old, you are most welcome. FREE  Just turn up ! Donations to Homestart at Royston, Buntingford and South Cambs. For more information about this event contact Linda Bance 07753636443

Royston MusicFest is back on Sunday 25th! A variety of FREE music including covers, traditional & self-penned compositions, with a dash of Breton, Cajun & Blues influences, can be heard at Banyers House, the Conservative Club (open to all for this event), Jolly Postie & the Old Bull Inn. Music from 12.00 to 17.00. with more details on https://www.roystonmusicfest.uk in late August/early September.

Come and join us at our Finale Concert at King James Academy Senior Hall on Sunday 25th at 19.00 (Doors open 18.30) for a celebration of the Festival’s theme ‘Circle of Life’ explored through music and song. Compered by music teacher and festival stalwart Sue Pettitt and featuring Royston Town Band, Women Sing, Royston Town’s Development Band and ensembles from King James Academy this promises to be a wonderful way to close our festival. There will be lots of flag-waving enjoyment, an interval and a bar selling wine and soft drinks. Tickets from King James Academy Senior Site Office, Royston Library, or on the door: £5 adults, £2 for 16s & under. (Cash sales only for tickets and bar.)

Limitless Academy for the Performing Arts are doing the festival proud with all their efforts for the Community Event and a show in their new Crow’s Nest Theatre in Melbourn Street, Royston. The Road Less Travelled takes place ahead of the official start date for the festival on Friday 16th to Saturday 17th. Join them for an evening of award-winning theatre with a very moving awareness-raising performance, portraying the lifestyle of someone suffering from domestic violence. Contains swearing & sexual referencing. Starts 19.30 and tickets are £12 from the Limitless website: https://www.limitlessacademyarts.com/

THE LION KING (U) Sunday 18th 2pm 88 mins: Royston Picture Palace brings you a rare chance to see this classic Disney animation on the big screen. Featuring classic songs such as “Circle of Life,” “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” and “Hakuna Matata,” The Lion King is a story about identity, family, and responsibility that is a joy for all ages. Tickets from £5.00 Wheelchair extra seat and carer tickets: Free https://roystonpicturepalace.org.uk/

THE BEATLES AND INDIA (12A) Sunday 18th 5.30pm 92 mins: Join us at Royston Picture Palace for a unique historical chronicle of the enduring love affair between The Beatles and India that started more than half a century ago. Rare archival footage, photographs and eye-witness accounts, along with location shoots across India, bring alive the fascinating journey of George, John, Paul and Ringo from their high-octane celebrity lives in the West to a remote Himalayan ashram in search of spiritual bliss – a time that inspired an unprecedented burst of creative song writing. This is the first serious exploration of how India helped shape the evolution of the iconic band, and how they helped bridge two vastly different cultures. Followed by a live Q&A with co-director Peter Compton. Adult: £9.00 Concession: £8.50 Under 18: £6.00 Wheelchair extra seat and carer tickets: Free https://roystonpicturepalace.org.uk/