20 Years of Ashton Keynes Festival
When you like a glass of wine after a choir rehearsal and your village has a nice, cosy pub, you may find yourself conspiring with likeminded people to organise a home-grown festival.
In 2004, Graham Loveday and Sarah Binnersley did just that. With the dedication of their steering committee, the financial support of the first generation of Friends of the Festival and a tranche of volunteers, the Ashton Keynes Music Festival was born in 2005. In that first year, more than 600 villagers came together to organise, volunteer, perform and celebrate the diverse and enviable musical talent Ashton Keynes has to offer.
Now in its 20th year, the festival has grown and branched out to showcase talents beyond music; but the enjoyment of live music and celebrating the wonderful community spirit that exists in our very special village is still very much at its heart.
This 20th Year Anniversary of the AK Festival is being dedicated to the late Graham Loveday who would have been celebrating his 65th Birthday this year, on 28th June (the Saturday Night Live day of the festival), which is very appropriate as we remember Graham, a man who loved community and music!
We hope you will all join together to create an event true to our grass roots of “something for everyone”; with the aim of bringing together our community to reminisce the fun times had, rejuvenate old friendships and welcome those who’ve arrived more recently.
We have a programme of events promising fun, laughter, music, dancing, opportunities to show off talents and gardens, camaraderie and an overflow of community spirit.
