New for 2023, our first ever Summer Sound Fest.

We'll be bringing you a jam packed line up of talented local artists, covering a range of genres from rock, afro beat, folk, jazz, bluegrass and funk.

Saturday 24th June 2023 at our Exclusive Event Field in Dudswell, HP4 3TA

Doors open 2pm with live music from 3pm

Bring the whole family along to enjoy the day and dance into the sunset.

There will be fully licensed bars, an array of delicious food vendors and a shopping village bursting with artisan crafts...so there really is something for everyone!

Let your little ones burn off some energy on the bouncy castle, we will make sure there is plenty of fun and games for them to enjoy too.

Our line up includes:

Sweetcornbread

Formed in 2008 sweetcornbread are a homegrown band giving you dancing beats and sing along melodies. Referencing funk, folk, bluegrass, blues and reggae amongst their original material, an ever growing fusion of genres held together by their distinctive sound.  

Lex11

Lex11 got together in 2022 and pride themselves in playing some big numbers, with intent! Covers from The Stereophonics, Sheryl Crow and Alanis Morrisette through to Guns N'Roses, AC/DC, The Killers and more are in their ever expanding repertoire. If you want to hear some great tunes played with energy and enthusiasm, Lex11 are for you!  Lex11

T-Bone African Allstars

Experience the vibrant sounds of T-BONE AFRIKA ALL STARS, a dynamic Afro Beat HIGH LIFE band that showcases the best music from Southern Africa.

Secondary Modern Jazz

Secondary Modern Jazz are a collective based around the wonderful voice of Rachael Brown and the trombone of Ray Ashley-Brown. This is for people who like their jazz laid back and soulful.

Minnie Birch

Minnie creates honest, beautiful music in the folk tradition about love, loss, life, fairytales and football! Joined for this performance by Vocalist and banjo player Kathy Pilkinton. Expect ambient acoustic sounds with moments you can sing and stomp along too.

Monday Mojo

The Monday Mojos play rock n' roll, country & blues standards at charity, good cause & other events. These include classic high energy songs by Elvis, Little Richard, Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters. The set will get you up and rocking!

Tickets

Advanced Ticket Fees:

Adults/over 18's: £12.00

Children: £5.00

Under 3's/carers: FREE

On the day entry:

Adults/over 18's £15.00, Children £7.00, Under 3's/carers FREE

*Free onsite parking at our exclusive Event Field included in your ticket price*

Tickets available to buy on our website; https://www.stfrancis.org.uk/support-us/events/detail/summer-sound-fest or from our charity shops.

The Hospice of St Francis has been providing free of charge, end of life support and care for families and their loved ones in Herts and Bucks for over 40 years and relies on support and donations, from events like this, to raise the £5 million it needs every year to continue this care. Thank you

#WeLoveYourSupport

Got a question? Drop our Fundraising Team a line!

fundraising@stfrancis.org.uk / 01442 869555

This year Aylesbury on Sea will feature local family-friendly literary and arts festival, WhizzFizzFest.

For the first time, WhizzFizzFest hits the road to bring a vibrant celebration of children’s creativity alongside plenty of beach-based fun on Sunday 2 July.

Aylesbury on Sea has brought the beach to Aylesbury since 2005.

Residents are invited to get stuck into 60 tonnes of sand in Aylesbury’s largest park, ride on the land train and enjoy many other seaside activities including prize bingo, with thanks to Michael Anthony Estate Agents, and fairground rides including a Helter-Skelter and a surfboard simulator.

There will be new activities for 2023 including mini-golf, beach volleyball and a limbo competition as well as great local food.

WhizzFizzFest has been running for over two decades and was previously hosted by Buckinghamshire Council. It was originally inspired by Buckinghamshire author Roald Dahl and since then it has evolved into a vibrant celebration of children’s literature and creative arts.

This year in Vale Park, participants can enjoy a whirlwind of creative activities and unforgettable experiences connected with an overarching theme of ‘Friendship’.

There will be a musical playground made from upcycled everyday objects, an immersive performance of Alice in Wonderland from Queens Park Art Centre’s Unbound Theatre, pottery painting, musical instrument making and a storytelling tent. Not to mention DJ Dan Blaze hosting interactive challenges and a chance to talk to local children’s authors.

Visit our website for more information: https://bit.ly/AOSWFF23

Click attending on our Facebook event: https://bit.ly/41r7fnt

Click here to view accessibility information: https://bit.ly/3kgEGWm

Green Festival at Chiltern Open Air Museum

At this special green event: listen to live acoustic music, head to the green market, take part in wellbeing activities, meet a horse-riding nymph and 18ft tree puppet, and discover ways that you can help take care of our environment.

• Head to the artisan market where you’ll be able to buy eco-friendly products from a wide range of stalls
• Attend talks on nature and the environment delivered by expert speakers
• Listen to live music from folk collective Bottlefolk on Tour
• Get involved in fun activities for the whole family, including eco-friendly arts and crafts for kids
• Watch a performance by Arbor the Tree, the 18ft tree puppet!
• Focus on wellbeing at Tai Chi and yoga taster sessions run by Sport in Mind
• Visit the Chiltern Sound Spa’s meditation and wellbeing space
• Tour the museum’s gardens and orchards and meet the team that looks after them
• Find out about sustainable gardening and how to get the most out of your herbs and compost
• Learn about bees from a beekeeper with a live hive
• Find out about chalk streams and the River Chess Smarter Water Catchment initiative, and learn ways that you can help to save water
• Immerse yourself in nature with local bushcraft expert David Willis, who will be providing guided woodland tours and spoon carving demonstrations
• Chat to local conservation groups and organisations about their work and projects and find out how you can get involved*

*Groups include: The Chiltern Society, Chilterns Conservation Board, Woodoaks Farm, Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust, Sustainable Amersham, The Oasis Partnership, Watford Recycling Arts Project, Colne Valley Regional Park and Chiltern Bee.

Arbor the Tree

Part man. Part tree. 18 feet tall. Meet Arbor.

Follow Arbor as he strides around COAM, vanishing between trees and emerging with a cart full of tree seeds. Arbor tells the story of a tree pushed from his home and his fight to preserve his future.

Arbor is a visually stunning show with lots of lovable puppets. Created by the award-winning puppetry and theatre company, Smoking Apples.

Suitable for the entire family. Ages 4 – 11 years.

Specialist Talks

Allen Beechey – Chilterns Chalk Streams Projects Manager (CCB) –A talk on the ecology of the Chilterns chalk streams

Adrian Porter – Chiltern Chalk Streams Rivers Officer (CCB)–A talk on chalk stream restoration, practical volunteering, citizen science and how you can get involved

Dr Wendy Morrison – Heritage and Archaeology Manager (CCB) –A talk on how humans have shaped the Chilterns

Paul Jennings – Chair of the River Chess Association and local farmer – A farmers perspective on conscientious management and the importance of the River Chess