| Riverside Festival 2007/2008 |
| Riverside Festival 2009 Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th June 2009 |
Gainsborough Riverside Festival 2009
| Friends of the Riverside Festival Updates |
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Next Site Update: February 2009
| The Festival Committee and its Friends Web Link: www.gainsboroughtowncouncil.co.uk The Festival is now managed completely by the community, but has a Festival Co-ordinator to undertake the logistics/bookings/planning etc of the weekend, the salary for the this part time post comes from contributions from Gainsborough Town Council, West Lindsey District Council and local sponsorship. The creativity/ideas/involvement all come from local people many of whom have key roles on the committee which meets monthly, and also from the Friends of the Festival which meets approximately every two months. There is always room for more community involvement - would you like to come on board and help plan this weekend extravaganza? This year we should like to express a special thankyou to Smiffys, who are providing sponsorship for the 2009 event. It's great to have them involved! Here are some of the sub committees we have:- marketing/IT and the website/fundraising and sponsorship/workshops and parade/market stalls/health and safety and stewarding/performance/artistic input/youth activities/sport and physical activities/environmental issues/fireworks and music input plus fairground activities/water activities - is there one there that you would like to help out with? |
| The theme for our 2009 festival is the English the Civil War incorporating the battle of Gainsborough in 1643 which took place where Foxby Hill is now. There is a monument on the grass on the right hand side going up the hill. The Winter of'42/3 saw the War become more regionalised, as well as the `main' armies of the King and Parliament (the latter under the command of the Earl of Essex) new forces arose in the North and in the West, as well as small `local armies' elsewhere. One of the events which will be taking place locally, linked to the festival, will be a parade by the Civil War Re-enactment Society. Planned for February 2009 from the monument into town. Another event that is planned for the festival weekend will be a re-enactment of the battle. |
The festival has been running for eight years in Gainsborough — an event that was
born from the Riverside redevelopments and which is now seen as the highlight of
the year within the local community. From year two until 2006 and Neil's untimely
death, the Festival was run by the popular Arts Officer for West Lindsey District
Council – Neil Rogers, with support from his wife, Julie Willoughby. Attendance
grows each year, highlighting the fact that a great proportion of the local residents
choose to attend, often inviting relatives who live further a field to join with them. It
is also attracting growing numbers of visitors from surrounding catchments areas
along with tourists to the Town.
2007 was the first year that the Festival was held over two days, with a focus on the
heritage aspect of the years Seaside theme on the Sunday, with the lead partner
being Gainsborough Old Hall, along with considerable participation from
Gainsborough Town Council and the Town Councillors. Activities took place in
and around the Old Hall, Gainsborough House and on Parish Church grounds.
The Saturday Festival has historically had a strong art content, this was maintained
in 2007 with 11 free workshops held during the half term week open to anyone, of
any age, these covered costume making; flags; banners and structures, a music
workshop and a windmill workshop with Children's Links to compliment the giant
sandcastle play area held over the two days. Richmond Park hosted workshops
throughout the week, St John's church hall was a new site and workshops were
held in Gainsborough Old Hall. GAPA also offered workshops for those
representing GAPA in the parade. At some of the workshops sections of a giant
windbreak were created, which was continued on the day with festivalgoers invited
to join in with their own creativity. Street theatre is also a key part of the festival
provided by professional companies, or local theatre groups.
The performance stage always has a full programme of dance/keep fit
display/music/theatre from local groups and organisations, starting from the
opening of the festival at the new time of 12.00 noon until approximately 5.30 p.m.,
born from the Riverside redevelopments and which is now seen as the highlight of
the year within the local community. From year two until 2006 and Neil's untimely
death, the Festival was run by the popular Arts Officer for West Lindsey District
Council – Neil Rogers, with support from his wife, Julie Willoughby. Attendance
grows each year, highlighting the fact that a great proportion of the local residents
choose to attend, often inviting relatives who live further a field to join with them. It
is also attracting growing numbers of visitors from surrounding catchments areas
along with tourists to the Town.
2007 was the first year that the Festival was held over two days, with a focus on the
heritage aspect of the years Seaside theme on the Sunday, with the lead partner
being Gainsborough Old Hall, along with considerable participation from
Gainsborough Town Council and the Town Councillors. Activities took place in
and around the Old Hall, Gainsborough House and on Parish Church grounds.
The Saturday Festival has historically had a strong art content, this was maintained
in 2007 with 11 free workshops held during the half term week open to anyone, of
any age, these covered costume making; flags; banners and structures, a music
workshop and a windmill workshop with Children's Links to compliment the giant
sandcastle play area held over the two days. Richmond Park hosted workshops
throughout the week, St John's church hall was a new site and workshops were
held in Gainsborough Old Hall. GAPA also offered workshops for those
representing GAPA in the parade. At some of the workshops sections of a giant
windbreak were created, which was continued on the day with festivalgoers invited
to join in with their own creativity. Street theatre is also a key part of the festival
provided by professional companies, or local theatre groups.
The performance stage always has a full programme of dance/keep fit
display/music/theatre from local groups and organisations, starting from the
opening of the festival at the new time of 12.00 noon until approximately 5.30 p.m.,
Festival History
| Re-enactment Society Pics |
| Websites: Civil War Society |
