Grand finale to 10 Parishes Festival
West Somerset's nine day celebration of the arts ended in truly festive spirit as hundreds of people flocked to the 10 Parishes Festival Market in Wiveliscombe last weekend, while eager audiences lapped up the creative outpouring of everything from open art galleries to sculpture gardens, drama to singing.
It was the final weekend of the 10 Parishes Festival from September 8 – 16, based in Wiveliscombe and the nine surrounding parishes, in what has become a major biennial arts and community event, involving over 100 artists and more than 150 events.
Saturday saw Wiveliscombe's West Street closed to traffic as an estimated 2,000 visitors flocked to enjoy a day of sunshine, carnival, stalls selling an excellent variety of local food, drink, and crafts – plus music and entertainment.
“It’s our third Festival and has been better than ever. It has grown into a wonderful celebration of art and community,” said Pauline Homeshaw, Festival Director.
The Festival Market – a first for the event – looked extremely picturesque as local shopkeepers and food and drink producers set up stalls under green and white striped canopies, with everything from chocolate to smoked trout and local beer, craft cards to jewellery on offer.
People of all ages thronged the street and square, enjoyed drinks and food from the stalls and outdoor cafes, sat in the sun in Jubilee Gardens and listened to the bands, watched Kingsmead Community School drama group or tried their luck at bellydancing.
A glorious Wheelbarrow Carnival in aid of 10 Radio saw 20 barrows parading through the street and down to the Recreation Ground, with adults and children dressed in all kinds of inventive garb, preceded by youngsters in white and purple of the Wellington Majorettes.
Jed and Sam Dove of Wiveliscombe won the best float for their Dr Who theme.
Stalls did a roaring trade, many rushing to get more stock or selling out, while artists in all nine parishes reported excellent results from their nine days of exhibitions.
“It’s been a very relaxed atmosphere, plenty of people, a very nice variety of stalls with local shops involved too – I’ve really enjoyed the day,” said stallholder Richard Robbins of Nutcombe Chocolates.
“There’s a great crowd, tremendous stalls, and it’s good to see so many people enjoying themselves and meeting up with friends. We’re very impressed,” said visitors Tim and Carrie Parker of Wiveliscombe.
Throughout the weekend other events and exhibitions carried on around the parishes of Ashbrittle, Bathealton, Brompton Ralph, Chipstable & Waterrow, Clatworthy, Fitzhead, Huish Champflower, Milverton and Stawley. For one of the youngest exhibitors Sam Jeffs, 18, who has just completed a National Diploma in Fine Art at Somerset College, it was a great opportunity to get his work seen and his Minotaur from scrap metal was a landmark piece at Spring Grove Market Gardens in Milverton.
Bathealton saw a constant stream of visitors to see the Ark Has Landed, 25 pairs of animals created by villagers, as well as the colourful silk banners around the church and paintings by well known professional artists including Tilly Willis and Antonia Myatt.
With drama, writing and workshop events throughout the weekend, the Festival celebration ended on a high on Sunday night with The Demon Barbers, a nationally known vocal harmony cabaret show, which event was sponsored by Wiveliscombe & District Rotary Club.
“It’s been fantastic. Now we’re looking forward to the next Festival,” said Pauline Homeshaw.