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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261213T193000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261213T210000
DTSTAMP:20260904T193038Z
CREATED:20250919T125354Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260904T193038Z
UID:9203-1797190200-1797195600@lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk
SUMMARY:Christmas Echoes
DESCRIPTION:BOOK TICKETS \nA melange of seasonal stories\, sketches\, humour\, poetry and song. \nCost: £19 (or £17 for LFF members) including mulled wine and a mince pie
URL:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/event/christmas-echoes-2026/
LOCATION:Thomas Spencer Hall\, Church Street\, Whittington\, Staffordshire\, WS14 9JX\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/ChristmasEchoes.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Lichfield Festival Friends":MAILTO:lff@lichfieldfestival.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261107T193000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261107T213000
DTSTAMP:20260904T194154Z
CREATED:20250919T125354Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260904T194154Z
UID:9231-1794079800-1794087000@lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk
SUMMARY:A Murder Mystery
DESCRIPTION:We are always keen to add new forms of entertainment to our programme of events\, and are delighted to be offering a murder-mystery evening. It will have a Hallowe’en theme with performers from Toffeehammer Studios. The ploughman’s platter familiar from the wine bluff evenings will be served\, and a cash bar will be available. \nCost £20 – including ploughman’s platter
URL:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/event/a-murder-mystery/
LOCATION:Martin Heath Hall\, Christchurch Lane\, Lichfield\, WS13 8AY\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/A-murder-mystery-scaled.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Lichfield Festival Friends":MAILTO:lff@lichfieldfestival.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261031T160000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261031T180000
DTSTAMP:20260903T161326Z
CREATED:20250919T125354Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T161326Z
UID:9222-1793462400-1793469600@lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk
SUMMARY:The Art of Animation
DESCRIPTION:Leo Wright is a multi-award winning stop motion filmmaker\, who developed his film production skills at Aardman as part of their In-Studio Training Course. This resulted in the creation of Leo’s short film: The Big Bad Wolf\, which was shortlisted for the Animation category at the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards and screened at the 69th BFI London Film Festival. He will bring examples of his artwork and talk about the development of an animated film. \nAdult: £14\nChild: £10 (under 18s) NB under 14’s must be accompanied by an adult\nFamily Ticket: £30 (up to 2 adults and 2 children)
URL:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/event/the-art-of-animation/
LOCATION:Boley Park Community Centre\, 7 Ryknild Street\, Lichfield\, Staffordshire\, WS14 9XU\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/The-Art-of-Animation-scaled.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Lichfield Festival Friends":MAILTO:lff@lichfieldfestival.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261011T150000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261011T160000
DTSTAMP:20260829T103735Z
CREATED:20260822T135722Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260829T103735Z
UID:9199-1791730800-1791734400@lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk
SUMMARY:More St Mary's Photographic Gems
DESCRIPTION:BOOK TICKETS \nAnother selection of vintage photographic gems from the archive at the Hub at St Mary’s in Lichfield’s Market Square. Lichfield historian\, Jono Oates\, will select photographs and tell their stories – reliving Lichfield’s past.
URL:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/event/more-st-marys-photographic-gems/
LOCATION:Martin Heath Hall\, Christchurch Lane\, Lichfield\, WS13 8AY\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/MoreStMarysPhotographicGems.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260419T150000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260419T160000
DTSTAMP:20260205T094322Z
CREATED:20200302T180837Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260205T094322Z
UID:9145-1776610800-1776614400@lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk
SUMMARY:Murder Most Foul
DESCRIPTION:BOOK TICKETS \nThrough thirteen crimes\, guest speaker Sheelagh James will explore mystery and murder in Georgian times. Prepare for an afternoon of grisly tales of ghastly errors and the path to the gibbet. Affronted duellists\, infamous highwaymen\, ghost hunters and more! \nTea and coffee will be available \nPrice £10
URL:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/event/murder-most-foul/
LOCATION:Martin Heath Hall\, Christchurch Lane\, Lichfield\, WS13 8AY\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Murder-Most-Foul-e1770239674404.webp
ORGANIZER;CN="Lichfield Festival Friends":MAILTO:lff@lichfieldfestival.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260401T201500
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260401T220000
DTSTAMP:20260417T110114Z
CREATED:20200302T180837Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T110114Z
UID:9161-1775074500-1775080800@lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk
SUMMARY:Desert Island Discs - Lesley Smith
DESCRIPTION:This year’s “Desert Island Discs was a very special opportunity – the chance to see Lesley Smith appearing as herself\, rather than as one of the historical characters she so brilliantly re-creates\n16 of them\, she told us. \nThe committee had expected this event to be popular\, but were overwhelmed by the response with some 110 tickets sold\, including – for the first time at an event of this kind – to non-members (which may well make this the most profitable event of 2025-6). \nThe audience were not disappointed: Lesley was her usual inimitable\, frank and humorous self\, with a fascinating tale to tell\, about her family as well as herself. \nHer first piece of music was “Double Trouble”\, an Elvis Presley track from a 1967 film of the same name\, which was accompanied by a slide of a very attractive young woman\, her elder sister\, who was Elvis’s co-star. She had been spotted in the street and invited for a screen test\, but had abandoned film stardom for a return to a quiet life and marriage. Lesley had preceded this slide with a photograph of herself aged 5\, and the statement that she was the youngest of 5\, and that her mother had described her with the words “The plain one\, but she’s doing well at school” – shades of Mrs Bennett! \nHer second choice of music was “Nimrod” from “The Enigma Variations”\, which she associated particularly with her father\, whose career dealing in antiques she had eventually discovered concealed work for MI5\, in the section responsible for investigating Soviet penetration; he was involved in the discovery of the Portland spy ring In 1961 (immortalised in the play “Pack of Lies”). \nShe had grown up near the Horniman Museum and visited it a lot\, becoming interested in objects displayed there\, and “obsessed by Tudor History by the age of 8”. Her third choice of music reflected this – “The King’s Ballad”\, written by Henry VIII. She had not immediately followed an academic route\, however\, but had worked for a time in advertising – experience which may have been of help when she became lessee of the ruined Tutbury Castle\, and set about building its visitor numbers – from 8000 to 120000! \nShe spoke of 60-80 hour working weeks in doing this\, but in 1984 a visit by TV presenter Yvette Fielding led to a new career in TV\, working on ghosthunting programmes in particular: this was marked with the music for “Ghostbusters”! \nWith her next piece of music Lesley returned to family connections – “I Giorni”\, which is based on a twelfth century folk song from Mali; this was important to her\, as it had provided a bond with her son Henry\, who had had speech difficulties which needed significant surgery. The sixth piece was the “Marche pour la ceremonie des Turcs” and had similar personal associations as\nit was the music to the accompaniment of which she had entered the church for her second marriage to historian Dr Gareth Williams\, an expert on the Vikings. \nShe chose a Breton melody “Troelienn” to mark their enjoyment of travel; and “Proud”\, Heather Small’s first solo track\, because she “wanted everybody to be proud of this nation and its people and this beautiful city”. \nDamian had started the conversation by reading out some of Lesley’s considerable achievements\, and asked her now about her dissertation\, which she wrote while undergoing chemotherapy: she said the concentration on that had allowed her not to be frightened. \nWhen asked about a book she would wish to take to the island\, she said “The Lion\, the Witch\, and the Wardrobe”\, which had filled her life when she worried as a child. She was told she could not have the QE2 as a luxury\, so opted for a Siamese cat\, to be called Snuffbox\, after one she had had previously. And a single record she would save above all\, would be “I Giorni”\, to keep her close to her son. \nFascinating insights into a very interesting lady! Thank you\, Lesley! \nAdrienne Swallow
URL:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/event/desert-island-discs-lesley-smith/
LOCATION:Guildhall\, Bore Street\, Lichfield\, Staffordshire\, WS13 6LU\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Lesley.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Lichfield Festival Friends":MAILTO:lff@lichfieldfestival.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260308T150000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260308T160000
DTSTAMP:20260417T104734Z
CREATED:20200302T180837Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T104734Z
UID:9141-1772982000-1772985600@lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk
SUMMARY:St Mary’s Hidden Photographic Gems
DESCRIPTION:When I signed up for tickets to “St Mary’s Hidden Photographic Gems” I expected to be entertained with photos of Lichfield’s past. Well\, I was\, but in the event got very much more. Our guide\, Jonathan Oates\, familiarly known as Jono\, especially in the bars of licensed premises\, apparently\, of which Lichfield boasts not a few; showed us not only some wonderful evocative pictures of Lichfield in the first half of the last century\, but regaled us with anecdotes relating to their owners and inhabitants. \nOne such photograph of an early department store\, or emporium\, which name sounds to me far more in\nteresting\, included the sad story of the owner who reversed the usual trend and went from riches to rags\, disappearing from Lichfield and ending his days in poverty “up North”. Another anecdote\, well illustrated with photos\, concerned the move of the clock tower from its original site to the Bowling Green roundabout. This move was totally organised and funded by Sir Richard Cooper\, who had to overcome fierce resistance from Lichfield Council\, whose preferred option was demolition. No Comment. \nThe gradual change in the architectural landscape of Lichfield\, sometimes for the better\, sometimes less\nso\, was beautifully illustrated and delivered with an impressive knowledge of Lichfield’s history.\nQuite fascinating! \nRichard Newby
URL:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/event/st-marys/
LOCATION:Martin Heath Hall\, Christchurch Lane\, Lichfield\, WS13 8AY\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Jono.webp
ORGANIZER;CN="Lichfield Festival Friends":MAILTO:lff@lichfieldfestival.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260228T193000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260228T220000
DTSTAMP:20260417T104841Z
CREATED:20200302T180837Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260417T104841Z
UID:9128-1772307000-1772316000@lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk
SUMMARY:Lichfield Festival Friends Quiz 2026
DESCRIPTION:The Quizmaster’s Perspective \nHere we go again\, the annual quiz that delights and perplexes those who attend. Sound was provided by\nColin Ablitt\, making Tony look like an air traffic controller and me happy with a static microphone! Phones were banned as usual so no cheating could take place. \nTony and I love running the quiz\, it’s a challenge\, a great deal of fun\, and someone always disagrees with a couple of our answers. The most contentious question this year was “who is the voice of Dangermouse for CBBC?” (Alexander Armstrong!) \nFrom “missing landmarks”\, (“where on earth is that?!”) to staples such as history\, geography and of course\, two rounds of general knowledge\, we try to make the questions as varied as possible\, bearing in mind the age range of our teams. Bette Davis to K-Pop demon hunters -a good variety. The highest score in General knowledge 1\, was six out of ten! The 2025 round is one for everyone\, no one can say\nthat it doesn’t apply to them. Logos are always a bit of fun\, and the food and drink is a fairly wide-ranging round. The “joker” has its place to double a score\, and is generally successful for the teams. \nAlong with the well publicised bar and raffle\, (thank you Tony) the fish and chips seemed well received\, with particularly large portions this year! \nWe hope you enjoyed the evening as much as we did. A big thank you to all who contributed in the organising. Roll on next year’s quiz! \nMarian Bateman
URL:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/event/lichfield-festival-friends-quiz/
LOCATION:Martin Heath Hall\, Christchurch Lane\, Lichfield\, WS13 8AY\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Quiz-2026-e1770232178499.webp
ORGANIZER;CN="Lichfield Festival Friends":MAILTO:lff@lichfieldfestival.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260201T193000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260201T213000
DTSTAMP:20260211T110450Z
CREATED:20250919T125354Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260211T110450Z
UID:9102-1769974200-1769981400@lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk
SUMMARY:Ode to Joyce: a tribute to the late\, great Joyce Grenfell
DESCRIPTION:What better way is there than to enjoy an evening re-living the work of comedians like Joyce? \nJoyce Grenfell\, born in 1910\, lived to be 69 having spent most of her life in West London.  Her legacy is as a witty monologuist\, and performer on stage\, radio\, film and television.  She wrote most of her own material\, much to the delight of audiences across the country. \nLichfield Festival Friends gathered in The Hub to hear again a variety of her sketches and songs brilliantly presented by Cheryl Knight\, who was assisted at the piano by Paul Knight. \nThe Hub was full to capacity to hear a dozen short pieces in each half of the performance.  Cheryl captured the character and movements of Joyce to perfection.  We enjoyed some monologues of well known characters – such as Lumpy Latimer\, and nervous ladies speaking their thoughts and anxieties.  These pieces were interspersed with readings from letters about her career as it developed\, and with many songs – you may recall the “hymn” which turned into the remembrance that the oven had been left on ….. with a cake still cooking inside! \nIt was\, altogether\, a very enjoyable afternoon\, and we look forward to join in other activities with Festival Friends. \nFinally a reminder to George……… don’t do that! \nWritten by Iva Davies.
URL:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/event/ode-to-joyce-a-tribute-to-the-late-great-joyce-grenfell/
LOCATION:The Hub at St Mary’s\, Market Square\, Lichfield\, WS13 6LG\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/ode-to-joyce.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Lichfield Festival Friends":MAILTO:lff@lichfieldfestival.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20251201T193000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20251201T220000
DTSTAMP:20260204T190207Z
CREATED:20250919T125354Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260204T190207Z
UID:9099-1764617400-1764626400@lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk
SUMMARY:Christmas Echoes
DESCRIPTION:Glasses of mulled wine and mince pies made a pleasant start to “Christmas Echoes”\, so it was an expectant audience that filled The George’s upstairs Garrick Ballroom and prepared themselves for a pre-Christmas evening of light entertainment and laughter. They were not disappointed! \nSeven talented members of the Lichfield Players\, with suitable Christmassy props to hand\, lined up on the stage\, with pianist Jake Ballinger and singer Ellie Galvin in support\, to produce an evening of Christmas-themed jokes\, songs\, poems\, and anecdotes\, suitably interspersed with traditional Christmas carols\, the latter with audience participation invited. Much fun and laughter ensued throughout what proved to be a gloriously entertaining evening\, the audience eventually dispersing in a very merry mood for the run-up to the festive season and Christmas 2025. \nA huge thank you to all who made it happen. \nClaire Tetley
URL:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/event/christmas-echoes-5/
LOCATION:The George Hotel\, Bird Street\, Lichfield\, WS13 6PR\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Christmas-Echoes-1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Lichfield Festival Friends":MAILTO:lff@lichfieldfestival.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20251130T193000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20251130T220000
DTSTAMP:20260204T190134Z
CREATED:20250919T125354Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260204T190134Z
UID:9086-1764531000-1764540000@lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk
SUMMARY:Christmas Echoes
DESCRIPTION:Glasses of mulled wine and mince pies made a pleasant start to “Christmas Echoes”\, so it was an expectant audience that filled The George’s upstairs Garrick Ballroom and prepared themselves for a pre-Christmas evening of light entertainment and laughter. They were not disappointed! \nSeven talented members of the Lichfield Players\, with suitable Christmassy props to hand\, lined up on the stage\, with pianist Jake Ballinger and singer Ellie Galvin in support\, to produce an evening of Christmas-themed jokes\, songs\, poems\, and anecdotes\, suitably interspersed with traditional Christmas carols\, the latter with audience participation invited. Much fun and laughter ensued throughout what proved to be a gloriously entertaining evening\, the audience eventually dispersing in a very merry mood for the run-up to the festive season and Christmas 2025. \nA huge thank you to all who made it happen. \nClaire Tetley
URL:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/event/christmas-echoes-3/
LOCATION:The George Hotel\, Bird Street\, Lichfield\, WS13 6PR\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Christmas-Echoes-1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Lichfield Festival Friends":MAILTO:lff@lichfieldfestival.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20251026T150000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20251026T170000
DTSTAMP:20251110T102636Z
CREATED:20250919T125354Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251110T102636Z
UID:9075-1761490800-1761498000@lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk
SUMMARY:Jane Austen 250
DESCRIPTION:Sunday afternoon’s ‘A Regency Entertainment’ at the Guildhall was a hugely successful celebration of Jane Austen\, 250 years after her birth. Regency dancing\, a rehearsed reading of episodes from “Pride and Prejudice”\, and period accurate afternoon tea transported me to early 1800s polite society\, while the raffle and audience participation added an entertaining twist\, making the event extremely accessible. \nThe performance opened with a display of Regency style dancing by Lichfield Regency Dance Group\, an excellent way to set the scene of the period. Lichfield Festival Friends offered a collaborative opportunity to a local group to demonstrate their unique passion and widen its appeal through audience interaction. A group of eager volunteers joined the exquisitely costumed group in a progressive dance\, which was in equal parts endearing and inspirational. The musical accompaniments\, each introduced by members of the group\, reminded me of soundtracks to ball scenes in the 2005 movie adaptation of Pride and Prejudice\, as did the flamboyant costumes. \nThe second half\, dramatised excerpts from Pride and Prejudice\, brought Austen’s work to life in an original and yet loyal way. Of necessity the text was heavily abridged\, concentrating on the most dramatic and most humorous moments of the story\, and only 6 characters\, plus a narrator. The casting was impeccable\, with Maureen George bringing out Mrs Bennet’s lovability and Adrienne Swallow’s incredible on stage shift from her Narrator to Lady Catherine de Bourgh sending ripples of laughter throughout the audience. David Titley’s cameo as the pompous Mr Collins was a delight\, and Stephen Brunton as Mr Bennet displayed an appropriate weary patience to his wife and deep affection for his daughter.\nThe heart of the story is\, of course\, Darcy and Elizabeth\, and Hannah and Robin Lewitt delivered a charming interpretation of their romantic banter and eventual reconciliation\, with Hannah presenting a particularly feisty and bold Lizzie. Robin Lewitt’s Darcy was easy to sympathise with\, helping the audi ence’s investment in his romance with Lizzie\, and his gentlemanly mannerisms had me internally screaming at her utter obliviousness. It was clear how special the project was to the whole cast from their excellent characterisation and onstage rapport. \nOverall\, the afternoon was a wonderful tribute to one of the most influential female writers\, one that\, as a theatre enthusiast and excellent dancer\, Austen certainly would have appreciated. Together\, the entertainment and refreshments created a temporary time capsule of the Regency era in the Guildhall\, allowing the audience to connect with the iconic tale of Elizabeth Bennet over 200 years on. \nYoung Critic Amy S
URL:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/event/jane-austen-250/
LOCATION:Guildhall\, Bore Street\, Lichfield\, Staffordshire\, WS13 6LU\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Jane-Austen.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Lichfield Festival Friends":MAILTO:lff@lichfieldfestival.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250920T193000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250920T213000
DTSTAMP:20250925T163530Z
CREATED:20200302T180837Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250925T163530Z
UID:9055-1758396600-1758403800@lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk
SUMMARY:The Golden Age of Jazz
DESCRIPTION:The Golden Age of Jazz – At Whittington Church on Saturday September 20th \nNick Dewhurst and Jim Wynn had been described as “an extremely talented duo” in the advertising for this event\, and it was certainly proved true\, demonstrated in enthusiastic applause\, as well as comments from the audience as they left. \nNick is known locally as a trumpeter\, but is also a talented guitarist\, and this concert included both instruments (with further variety provided by flugelhorn and mutes) as well as Jim’s keyboard. “The Golden Age of Jazz” marked the last weekend of the summer by including the Gershwins’ “Summertime”; the wide-ranging repertoire also included music by Fats Wallah and Charlie Parker\, and associated with Sinatra\, Bing Crosby\, and Billie Holliday\, as well as much less familiar pieces. \nOne of the merits of the better-known pieces\, such as “Autumn Leaves”\, “All of me”\, and “Honeysuckle Rose”\, was that it enabled those members of the audience less familiar with jazz to identify and appreciate Nick and Jim’s improvisations on the melodies\, in a way that Suny Rollins’ “Sunnymoon for two” did not. They created a comfortable atmosphere together and with the audience\, with chat about the music between the pieces\, and\, indeed\, in the music – Nick’s reference to a forthcoming Christmas concert led to a few bars of “Jingle Bells” in the next number! \nSt Giles Church\, Whittington\, was an ideal venue\, with excellent acoustics\, and a pleasant area for refreshments created by recent renovations: many thanks to the church for allowing its use. LFF members attending were supplemented by a substantial number of newcomers (Whittingtonians? Fans of Nick?)\, whom we were delighted to welcome: please come again!
URL:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/event/the-golden-age-of-jazz/
LOCATION:Whittington Church\, Church Street\, Staffordshire\, WS14 9JX\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Golden-Age-of-Jazz-2560w-2.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Lichfield Festival Friends":MAILTO:lff@lichfieldfestival.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250409T201500
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250409T213000
DTSTAMP:20250509T100316Z
CREATED:20200302T180837Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250509T100316Z
UID:9025-1744229700-1744234200@lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk
SUMMARY:Desert Island Discs
DESCRIPTION:LICHFIELD FESTIVAL FRIENDS MEET THE DEAN OF LICHFIELD. \nOn Wednesday April 9th the Right Rev. Jan McFarlane\, Dean of Lichfield\, was\ninterviewed by the Rev. Peter Holliday at a music and conversation event at The\nGuildhall. It was on the lines of Radio 4’s “Desert Island Discs”\, and was organised by\nLichfield Festival Friends\, who raise funds for Lichfield Festival. \nDuring the conversation the Dean spoke of her strong local connections: she was born\nand grew up in Stoke\, and worked as a speech therapist in the area before training for\nthe ministry. She was ordained in Lichfield Cathedral and worked as curate in the\nStaƯord area before moving to various posts in Ely and Norwich\, eventually becoming\nBishop of Repton\, and subsequently returning to Lichfield. She spoke of the strong\nfeelings that the ordination of women had roused at first – she had received death\nthreats! She chose as one of her pieces of music the theme to “The Vicar of Dibley” (a\nsetting of the 23rd Psalm) because the first female priests “owe everything to Dawn\nFrench” who made them accessible. \nHubert Parry’s anthem “I was glad” was included as a reminder of the ceremony where\nshe was installed as Dean; but alongside religious music she chose Andy Williams’\n“Moon River”\, which she had listened to in her grandmother’s kitchen\, and Nat King\nCole’s “Let’s face the music and dance”\, which had helped her keep going through\ntreatment for cancer. \nThe conversation with the Dean took place after the Friends’ AGM\, which was\nparticularly well-attended in consequence! LFF Chair Adrienne Swallow reported on\nthe 9 fund-raising events they had held since September\, and which add to subscription\nincome to make LFF one of the biggest contributors to Lichfield Festival. \nA “good news” story she was keen to talk about was the Festival’s “Music for Schools”\nproject which is currently providing instrumental music lessons for more than 100 local\nschoolchildren: LFF members had generously supported it both last summer\, before the\nscheme started\, and during the week March 18-25\, when The Big Give charity had\npromised match funding for up to £5000 of donations. The target was reached easily\, so\nwith the promised match funding the music teaching is secure for another year\, a\ncontribution to the welfare\, skills and opportunities of local young people. \nThis year’s Summer Festival runs from 8th-20th July\, and details of the programme are\nnow available on-line and in printed brochures
URL:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/event/desert-island-discs/
LOCATION:Guildhall\, Bore Street\, Lichfield\, Staffordshire\, WS13 6LU\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/DID-e1739447245211.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Lichfield Festival Friends":MAILTO:lff@lichfieldfestival.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250323T150000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250323T160000
DTSTAMP:20250509T100236Z
CREATED:20200302T180837Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250509T100236Z
UID:9012-1742742000-1742745600@lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk
SUMMARY:The Seven Wonders of the Waterways
DESCRIPTION:A talk by Helen and Andy Tidy. \nAndy and Helen Tidy have a passion for the canal network of this country\, spending half the year living on their narrow boat while towing another! The second boat – called the Jam Butty – is their workplace\, in so far as it carries their delicious selection of jams\, chutneys and marmalades for sale at the various locations they visit. \nTheir lifestyle is making the preserves (500 jars made last week!) and selling them at food fayres at  appropriate places on their travels. \nThey were keen to tell us about engineering wonders of the canal system\, and they had identified eight intriguing structures to make water go uphill or to move narrow boats from one level to another. This included the Welsh aqueduct and Helen described how frightening it is\, crossing so close to a significant drop on either side of you! \nThey went on to tell us of the Anderton boat lift\, the Bingley Five Rise\, and the astonishing Caen Hill lock flight with 29 locks over 2 miles to be negotiated. The Standedge Tunnel was also described to us – three and a half miles\, needing to be “legged” to get through! \nThey also told us of some of the traditional canal people\, their ways of living\, and their assorted difficulties – all changed now\, as nowadays canals are used much more for pleasure than for industrial\npurposes. \nAndy and Helen gave us a fascinating insight into the wonders of the waterways. \nIva Davies
URL:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/event/waterways/
LOCATION:The Cathedral Hotel\, 62 Beacon Street\, Lichfield\, WS13 7AR\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Waterways.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Lichfield Festival Friends":MAILTO:lff@lichfieldfestival.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250223T150000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250223T160000
DTSTAMP:20250509T100334Z
CREATED:20200302T180837Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250509T100334Z
UID:9007-1740322800-1740326400@lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk
SUMMARY:Whistling through Changing Times
DESCRIPTION:A talk by Simon Topman. \nWhistles are everyday items\, and we don’t think about where they come from. But it was in 1884 that\nJoseph Hudson manufactured the first whistle used by football referees. Shortly afterwards the police\nwere looking for an effective way for their members to summon support: Hudson offered a whistle\, which the police force found highly effective. \nThe large order for police whistles that resulted was the start of the Acme Whistle Company\, whose MD\nSimon Topman gave the Festival Friends a lighthearted and lively account of the creation of these\ntwo whistles\, and of the many others the company has made during the 140+ years it has existed. \nSome 6 million whistles are made each year\, with 60% exported to America\, for daily use by police\,\nreferees\, bird watchers\, teachers\, and many others. We were shown – and heard – several examples of\ndifferent whistles\, including a dog whistle (too high for human hearing!)\, a duck call whistle\, a water\nproof life-saving whistle\, even a whistle with a lion roar! More than 80 variations are currently being\nmanufactured today in their Birmingham factory\, to which visits can be made by arrangement. \nSimon told us of his delight at the wonderful advertisement Acme whistles received in the dramatic\nclimax of the film “Titanic”\, when the company name was clearly visible on the whistle being used to try\nto locate survivors after the sinking – free advertising worldwide! \nA very interesting talk. \nBarrie Atchison
URL:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/event/whistling/
LOCATION:The Cathedral Hotel\, 62 Beacon Street\, Lichfield\, WS13 7AR\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/whistling.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Lichfield Festival Friends":MAILTO:lff@lichfieldfestival.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250201T193000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250201T220000
DTSTAMP:20250213T115354Z
CREATED:20200302T180837Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250213T115354Z
UID:8995-1738438200-1738447200@lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk
SUMMARY:Lichfield Festival Friends "A Taste of Scotland"
DESCRIPTION:An evening with tutored whisky tasting\, plus entertainment and refreshments with a Caledonian flavour. \nI’m not sure what I was expecting from the whisky tasting experience\, but the event was a full on Burns night.  From the haggis being piped in – by a real piper – to the singing of Auld Lang Syne at the end it was a brilliant evening. The whisky talk was detailed but fun was interspersed with music and poetry\, and some very nice Scottish related snacks. There had been talk of a Gay Gordons at the end\, but the hall was far too full for dancing – maybe next time. If there’s a repeat of this I’ll be there. 5/5
URL:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/event/taste-of-scotland/
LOCATION:Holy Cross Parish Hall\, Upper St John Street\, Lichfield\, WS14 9DX\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Taste-of-Scotland-2560w.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Lichfield Festival Friends":MAILTO:lff@lichfieldfestival.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20241216T193000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20241216T220000
DTSTAMP:20251110T103951Z
CREATED:20241025T100837Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251110T103951Z
UID:8960-1734377400-1734386400@lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk
SUMMARY:Christmas Echoes
DESCRIPTION:A programme of words and music for the festive season.\nAustin & Archer Productions presents Christmas Echoes\, an entertaining compilation of light-hearted poetry\, music and drama for the festive season. \nDate: Sunday 15th & Monday 16th December\nTime: 7.30pm\nPrice: £19 per person\, includes a glass of mulled wine and festive canapés\n£2 of the ticket price will be donated to the Lichfield Festival Friends. \nBook online or contact the events team on 01543 414822 or email events@thegeorgelichfield.co.uk\n BOOK TICKETS
URL:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/event/christmas-echoes-2/
LOCATION:The George Hotel\, Bird Street\, Lichfield\, WS13 6PR\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Christmas-Echoes-e1729762052808.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Lichfield Festival Friends":MAILTO:lff@lichfieldfestival.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20241215T193000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20241215T220000
DTSTAMP:20241025T125905Z
CREATED:20200302T180837Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241025T125905Z
UID:8951-1734291000-1734300000@lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk
SUMMARY:Christmas Echoes
DESCRIPTION:A programme of words and music for the festive season.\nAustin & Archer Productions presents Christmas Echoes\, an entertaining compilation of light-hearted poetry\, music and drama for the festive season. \nDate: Sunday 15th & Monday 16th December\nTime: 7.30pm\nPrice: £19 per person\, includes a glass of mulled wine and festive canapés\n£2 of the ticket price will be donated to the Lichfield Festival Friends. \nBook online or contact the events team on 01543 414822 or email events@thegeorgelichfield.co.uk\n BOOK TICKETS
URL:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/event/christmas-echoes/
LOCATION:The George Hotel\, Bird Street\, Lichfield\, WS13 6PR\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Christmas-Echoes-e1729762052808.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Lichfield Festival Friends":MAILTO:lff@lichfieldfestival.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20241109T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20241109T223000
DTSTAMP:20250107T171938Z
CREATED:20200302T180837Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250107T171938Z
UID:8994-1731178800-1731191400@lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk
SUMMARY:Lichfield Festival Friends "Call my Bluff" Wine Quiz
DESCRIPTION:The Call My Bluff Wine Quiz has rapidly become an established part of the LFF’s year – well\, with wine tasting\, quizzing\, prizes\, friends\, fun & laughter\, and a “ploughman’s platter” for supper\, can you wonder it’s popular?  \nOur wine tasting event is based on the TV word game which ran from 1965 – 1988\, with 6 wines to try and 3 panellists vying for your trust: Who will persuade you? Who’s telling the truth? \nTickets cost £18.00 –  and are available now via the link below. Contact 01543 419233 or 07866 587317\, if further information or assistance is required. \n BOOK TICKETS
URL:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/event/lichfield-festival-friends-call-my-bluff-wine-quiz/
LOCATION:Holy Cross Parish Hall\, Upper St John Street\, Lichfield\, WS14 9DX\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/wine-quiz-e1727720137364.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Lichfield Festival Friends":MAILTO:lff@lichfieldfestival.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20241019T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20241019T220000
DTSTAMP:20241106T182623Z
CREATED:20200302T180837Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241106T182623Z
UID:8912-1729364400-1729375200@lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk
SUMMARY:Lichfield Festival Friends Quiz
DESCRIPTION:It’s always nice to know that our events have been enjoyed\, and the contributions of members who write reviews are much appreciated. It’s a bonus when a visitor offers compliments\, so it’s a pleasure to include these comments from Ron and Sandra \n“I’d just like to comment on last Saturday’s quiz at Martin Heath Hall: Sandra and I thought the evening was a complete success. It was very well presented by quiz masters Barrie and Phil\, and the questions were interesting and sensible general questions that spanned all ages and abilities. The fish and chip supper was top quality. Please invite us again next time.” \n 
URL:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/event/lff-quiz-october-2024/
LOCATION:Martin Heath Hall\, Christchurch Lane\, Lichfield\, WS13 8AY\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/LFF-Quiz-October-2024-Event.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Lichfield Festival Friends":MAILTO:lff@lichfieldfestival.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240903T193000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240903T213000
DTSTAMP:20240911T143429Z
CREATED:20200302T180837Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240911T143429Z
UID:8867-1725391800-1725399000@lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk
SUMMARY:Junyan Chen plays Beethoven\, Amy Beach\, Liszt and Bartók
DESCRIPTION:The piano recital given by Chinese pianist Junyan Chen in The Hub\, Lichfield\, had been advertised as an exciting event and certainly gave the large and appreciative audience an evening to remember. \nJunyan Chen first played in Lichfield in 2022 as a Lichfield Festival Young Artist\, while she was still a student at the Royal Academy of Music when she played the two works by Beethoven and Liszt which began and ended this recital. To these three more works were added – Variations on Balkan Themes Op. 60 by Amy Beach\, written in 1904; the Liszt Funerailles S.173/7\, written in 1849; and 3 Bartok Studies\, from 1918\, with fast and furious pace and incisive rhythms. \nThe work by Amy Beach was unfamiliar to many in the audience but was immediately enjoyable and accessible\, giving the pianist a chance to showcase a wide variety of moods and tempi. The final piece\, the Liszt Piano Sonata in B minor is now seen as a pinnacle of his work and is a fixture in the concert repertoire\, with a fearsome level of difficulty making this performance all the more impressive; the music was extremely dramatic with the full extent of the keyboard used in a quiet opening\, furious scalic passages\, lovely lyrical moments and great confident use of rubato – there was no danger of this performance not being appreciated. \nJunyan has a growing reputation as one of the world’s top young pianists\, and her next challenges are the 2024 Leeds Piano competition (11th to 21st September) and the International Piano competition of Orleans in October and November. As she said when she introduced herself to us\, this recital will help her preparations for the competitions (she played without music for the whole performance). We must wish her well in her future career and thank her for a memorable evening of music. \nProgramme \nBeethoven Piano Sonata No. 28 in A Major\, Op.101\nAmy Beach Variations on Balkan themes\, Op. 60\nLiszt Funérailles\nBartók 3 Studies for piano\, Op. 18\nLiszt Sonata in B minor\, S.178. \nLichfield Festival Friends are very grateful for sponsorship for this event from Nigel O’Mara\, and from Tony Davis and Darin Qualls
URL:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/event/junyan-chen/
LOCATION:The Hub at St Mary’s\, Market Square\, Lichfield\, WS13 6LG\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://lichfieldfestivalfriends.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Junyan-Chen-16x9-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Lichfield Festival Friends":MAILTO:lff@lichfieldfestival.org
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