The Cookham Festival Box Office opened at Stationery Store today 4 April 2011

Cookham Festival 2011 is a celebration of the amazing talent we find across the Cookhams. This year we aim to broaden the appeal still further, with innovation and participation, to broaden the appeal still further and to encourage many more people to get involved in different ways.

A unique version of A Midsummer Night's Dream sees aspiring actors taking to the boards for the first time in The People's Shakespeare. Cookham High Street is transformed for a day, with great local arts, crafts and foods – with lots of fun to be had by all.

The Festival’s most important development - the Cookham Fringe – takes us into new venues and gives performers the opportunity to entertain their fellow Cookhamites.

Music for all tastes includes a galaxy of talented young musicians as well as established professionals, and features a closing concert by Cookham's Cantorum Choir. Let's Rock the Moor! is back for its third year.

The Art Trail displays the work of local artists in domestic settings, the inspiring Sculpture Garden returns at Odney, a series of exhibitions showcase local artists and our workshops encourage you to develop your own talents.

The Festival only happens because a great many people make it happen. The Festival Committee thanks all those who have given their time, energy, homes and other facilities to create 11 memorable days.

The 2011 Cookham Festival has been created for you – so make the most of it!

Mike Copland, Festival chairman

General enquiries to 07739 337105 or visit www.cookhamfestival.co.uk 

To volunteer at the Festival, email Joyce de la Salle (joyce@delasalle.me.uk)

Jon Fisher at The Chartered Institute of Marketing with the Cookham Festival logo. the logo was designed by Alicia Moores at the CIM.

LIFT OFF FOR 2011 COOKHAM FESTIVAL

26 October 2010 - Plans for next year’s Cookham Festival are gaining momentum.  The organisers have announced the dates – 12th to 22nd May – and set out some of the events planned for the two week celebration of local talent.  A new logo for Festival has also been launched.

Chairman Mike Copland said that one of the Festival’s main aims is to bring out the best of local talent.  “We have so many talented people in the Cookhams - artists, performers, singers, musicians.  One of our main aims is to allow us all to share in that but also to encourage people to experience something new and even try it for themselves’.

One of the highlights will be the Cookham Community Shakespeare performance of ‘A Midsummer Nights Dream’ directed by local actor/writer Richard James.  ‘In past years we have had community art and singing events’, Mike Copland said. ‘This time it’s acting and we’re encouraging people who have never acted before to get involved.  We’ve had a fantastic response so far and I’m really excited at the idea of putting the play on at the Festival’.

Another new feature will be a Cookham Festival Fringe.  ‘Again, it’s about letting people do their thing and having lots of activities happening right across the community throughout the Festival.  The Fringe will be slightly more anarchic than the rest of the Festival but hopefully will reach the parts that the rest of the festival does not.’

There will be a full programme of instrumental and choral music, comedy, poetry, talks and exhibitions, as well as workshops and artists’ open studios.  And a few more activities are currently in the planning stage and will be announced later.

Press enquiries to:

Judith Diment on 01628 672965 and judith@thediments.co.uk

or Mike Copland on 01628 630375 and mandlcopland@yahoo.co.uk

The Festival Committee offers its thanks to Louis Baylis (Maidenhead Advertiser) Charitable Trust and Pike Smith and Kemp for their financial contributions and to the many people who have helped make the Festival possible, including:

…and all who are taking part as performers, artists or helpers… (too numerous to mention individually).

Programme designed by Cobalt Graphic Design and printed by Mail Boxes Etc