Deddington Festival opened in 2003 with Britten's Noye's Fludde, in which local school children performed. In 2004 Dido and Aeneas and a choral concert made up the programme. In 2005 the company was set up and charitable status awarded.
Festival 2005 combined the established art and craft exhibitions and Poetry Please recital evening with a competition by Deddington Writer's Group, a children's art workshop and a cricket match.
In 2006 the Oxford Waits, Bejazzled, The Tim Dawes Band and Stekpanna joined the Festival line-up. The Farmers' Market held a photographic competition and Deddington Library hosted an open day and exhibition for children organised by Deddington and District History Society. Fund-raising events in 2006 included a local production, Sing me a Song O, a quiz night, and the Italian Violin Legacy concert. Proceeds were shared with the Church and Katharine House Hospice. These initiatives, together with local support and a second successful application to Awards for All, secured finances for 2006.
In 2007 Deddington Festival joined Oxford Inspires 2007 (Celebrating a Thousand Years of Oxfordshire). The Festival was expanded to include two concerts, Deddington Rocks and Celebration of Youth, in which many talented young people took part. The Beauchamp Sinfonietta and the Reading Male Voice Choir participated for the first time, joining returning acts in the programme. Fundraisers included a one man show by Festival patron Brian Kay and wine tastings hosted by Sophie Rudge of Blend.
Deddington Festival 2008 was yet another great community event and offered something for every taste. An Art Workshop, Jazz, Open Gardens, Poetry Please, The Flower Festival, Village Walks, Demon Barbers, A Night at the Opera, Celebration of England, and a great deal more.
The introduction of Deddington FUN and Deddington ROCKS made Deddington Festival 2008 the most ambitious project yet, as we presented a fun-packed day of family entertainment in the Market Place, followed by an evening of rock and dancing under the stars. The village really did come to life.
We aim to encourage the active participation of the community and each year takes us nearer our goal. We look forward to seeing you at Deddington Festival 2009!
Deddington Festival Committee
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