A fantastic festival that never was - Chichester

After the disappointment of cancellation sank in, the Festival of Chichester soon started to look to the future. And they are doing so with confidence.
Happier days: Festival of Chichester co-ordinator Barry Smith and Festival patron Dame Patricia RoutledgeHappier days: Festival of Chichester co-ordinator Barry Smith and Festival patron Dame Patricia Routledge
Happier days: Festival of Chichester co-ordinator Barry Smith and Festival patron Dame Patricia Routledge

Festival co-ordinator Barry Smith said: “The Festival of Chichester has very quickly achieved a vital place in the cultural life of the city. It hardly seems possible that seven years have elapsed since a group of us formed the new festival to fill the gaping void of the loss of the Chichester Festivities.

“Time has hurtled by and we were on the cusp of unveiling the eighth festival when events overtook us and it became necessary to pull the plug on what would have been a wonderful summer of entertainment.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I’m looking at what is now possibly a collector’s item – the only copy in print of the 2020 Festival of Chichester brochure cover design.

“And also on my desk is a printout of the festival listings – the lost festival of 2020.

“As has become our signature, it is grounded in the Chichester community and would have offered a wonderful array of the talents of the city, ranging from the massed voices of the Chichester Singers tackling Bruckner’s majestic Mass in E minor to Chichester Symphony Orchestra performing Tchaikovsky’s Symphony Number Six, the Pathetique, one of my personal favourites. So many Chichester people would have been involved, not just playing classical music, but performing pop and rock music, leading tours or giving talks on the natural world such as the unique Bats at Breakfast at West Itchenor Pond or a Birdsong Walk at Hunston.

“The festival is a magical mix of the best the locality can offer, side by side with some of the brightest visiting national and international stars. We think this lost festival would have been one of, if not the, best ever. In addition to Jess Gillam and the London Mozart Players, the festival included Dame Penelope Keith reading from the magnificent odes of the poet Keats in the Cathedral in his bicentenary year, The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra offering an enticing programme of musical delights including Vaughan Williams’ Lark Ascending and Brahms Symphony No 2, Greek band Plastikes Karekles, Cuban band the Latin Bridge, award-winning poets Grace Nichols and John Agard, wonderful jazz musicians Gaz Hughes, Alan Barnes and Bruce Adams, and the Americana-tinged acoustic folk harmonies of Sussex stars, Hatful of Rain.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“So much brilliant diversity – our watchword has always been to offer something for everyone, whatever their interests or tastes.

“What will I miss the most about the festival this summer? Well, there’s all the hard graft of getting thousands of brochures out across the city and into the surrounding area of Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire, but that’s such a worthwhile activity as it results in people flooding into the city, supporting our local businesses and having a thoroughly enjoyable time.

“And there’s the festival launch on the opening Saturday on Cathedral Green. Usually the sun shines but sometimes it rains and come what may, the festival committee is there handing out leaflets while the city mayor, festival patron Dame Patricia Routledge and Kate Mosse make inspirational speeches to open the festival

“Then there’s the delight – and sometimes challenge – of attending dozens of different events, concerts, talks, films, plays, art exhibitions, gigs…..there’s such a variety on offer, it’s sometimes hard to choose which event to go to on any particular day.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“But most of all I’ll miss the joy of a city celebrating, coming together to share uplifting experiences of the arts in our unique festival.

“So, as we regret what we’ll miss this year, let’s look forward to next year when we can do it all again with Festival 2021!”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

Thank you for reading this story on our website.

But I also have an urgent plea to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality local news on this free-to-read site and in print, please purchase a copy of our newspaper as well. With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on our town centres and many of our valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you buying a copy.

Our journalists are highly trained by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards anywhere in the world. Our content is universally trusted - as all independent research proves.

As Baroness Barran said in a House of Lords debate this week on the importance of journalists: "Not only are they a trusted source of facts, but they will have a role to play in rallying communities and getting the message across about how we can keep ourselves and our families safe, and protect our NHS. Undoubtedly, they have a critical role."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis. In return we will continue to forensically cover the local news - not only the impact of the virus but all the positive and uplifting news happening in these dark days.

We thank all our readers and advertisers for their understanding and support - and we wish YOU all the best in the coming weeks. Keep safe, and follow the Government advice. Thank you.