We have an exciting programme of events happening over the weekend of July 21-24. Debenham Arts Festival 2011 features a 'Music, Art, Performance and Literature Extravaganza' in the High Street on Sunday afternoon as well as numerous shows around the Village Green, the Debenham Resource Centre & Library, Dove Cottage, The Lion and The Angel.
Village shops will be open, food and drink will magically appear and, late morning, The Prostate Cancer Charity Bicycle Tour Ride 2011 will travel through the High Street on the way to its finish in Sandringham.


(Shops open daily throughout the festival.)


Exhibitions in Dove Cottage 10:00 – 17:00

Lois Cordelia Silhouette Paper-Cuts and Paintings

Alex Fayers Origami Workshops

Curiosity Rewound

Archive films and photographs of Debenham.



Thursday 21 July

10:00 - 15:30 Dean Parkin - Poetry for years 5&6 - Primary School

17:00 - 18:00 Opening event at Dove Cottage. A chance to see the exhibition at Dove Cottage.

18:30 - 19:30 Katie Ward - A talk on getting published for new writers - Red Lion Long Room



Friday 22 July

10:00 - 11:30 Pat Hutchins - Children's Literature - Primary School

14:30 - 16:00 Penny Parks - Writing workshop - 'How to begin your story' - Red Lion Long Room

19:00 - 20:00 Penny Parks 'Understanding Childhood Abuse' - Red Lion Long Room
(Over 15s advised due to the sensitive nature of the subject matter.)

20:30 - 23:00 Music in the Woolpack, with Manny Mantel, James Dixon and others.



Saturday 23 July

10:00  – 11:30 Gwyn Guy – playwriting workshop – Red Lion Long Room (TBC)

12:00 Songwriting workshop in the Dance Studio at the Leisure Centre.

12:00 - 12:30 Penny Parks & Shirley Bignall - Reading Dr. Seuss - Debenham Resource Centre & Library

12:00 - 22:00 MUSIC DAY at Debenham Leisure Centre with James Dixon, Broadside Boys, Joe Nickson, Tim Leat, Will Hessey, Lloyd Hurrel, Al Lindsay, Cassidy, Will Dixon, Long Bone Trio, Emma Stacey Band and others. (Please contact James Dixon for further information or inquiries).

14:00 - 16:00 Stephen Deas (Fantasy Author) - 'Here be Dragons' - Red Lion Long Room

16:30 - 18:00 (Postponed until later in the year) Sutherland and Fender - 'Love Sex Death Words'  - Red Lion Long Room

19:00 - 20:00 Pam Vinten's 'New Voices' Choir – St Mary Magdalene Church (TBC)



Sunday 24 July

Music, Art, Performance and Literature Extravaganza will take place along the High Street on Sunday Afternoon. Events, installations and performances will occur in and around the Village Green, the Debenham Resource Centre & Library, Dove Cottage, The Lion and The Angel and will feature musicians, sculptures, magicians and magic, poetry, song and the opportunity to participate in making your own art and even going on a treasure hunt

The day begins at about 10:00 with the Prostate Cancer Charity Tour Ride 2011, with 1000 cyclists riding through the High Street on the way to its finish in Sandringham.  Great viewings of this to be had from the green- bring something to sit on and watch!  Local charities will have stalls out entertainments will magically appear.


Then the day unfolds and other events begin, a small selection is listed below…


Debenham Resource Centre & Library: 14:00-15:00 Anne Barnes – Extended Story Time

Church Yard - Pirate Treasure Hunt with Laughing Lizzard

The Red Lion  - Alex McAleer performing “The (Not-So) Secret Diary of a Mind Reader”

Open Mic, including poetry readings from Dean Parkin’s workshop with the
primary school and first readings of plays and stories a one act play, comedy (TBC)


The Angel, The Vanilla Bake House, The Garden of Deben, Neaves;
Food, drink and more


The Green & The High Street Arches;

Mr Ben Whiting and Ms Kristina-Rose Sears will be performing traditional street
magic - ropes, cards, and the oldest trick in all magic, the Cups and Balls.
No animals!

Chalk drawing for kids (and big kids!)

Music, song, and a keyboard to play.

Medieval Joust


10:00 - 13:00    Bikes, passing the Green, in aid of Prostate Cancer Charity                                   (seating available)

13:00 - 14:00    Joust on the Green leading to Pirate Treasure Hunt in the Church                           Yard with Laughing Lizard

14:00 - 15:00    Anne Barnes – Extended Story Time  Library/Resource Centre

15:00 - 16:00    Leila Anani Poetry and Prose Red Lion Long Room

16:00 - 17:00    Mouth to Mouth ‘Sganerelle’ by More The Angel garden

17:00 - 19:00    Music, Angel Garden

20:00 - 22:00    Arts Themed Pub Quiz, Deben Lounge, Leisure Centre with                                   Quizmaster 'Small Paul' Hughes  (£5 a team)



The Lion and the Angel were fighting for the crown,
Which would be named the best venue for the Art Festival in Town?
Some said it must be the Angel, because it was a pub,
Others said the Lion:  HQ of the local drama club.
Nothing could be decided, it was too close to call,
And so a joust was organized- Winner to take it all!

Two champions were chosen, and sent into the street,
To fight each other senseless until one of them was beat.
The angels wore a white coat, the Lion he wore black,
Equal and unyielding the paraded, trading whacks.
Up and down the street the danced until the reached the church,
Where the woke up the Dove, napping on his perch.




(All events are free of charge (except events at Debenham Leisure Centre). Donations welcomed and will help fund next years Festival.)