Summer Trifle Arts Festival
The delightful, rambling gardens of Pickhams in Wilmington once again hosts the glorious Summer Trifle Arts Festival from the 27 – 29 August. With the help of a grant from Chalk Cliff Trust, the committee have teamed up with several local organisations to arrange three days of art, craft and entertainment. Exhibiting in the Meet the Makers marquee are professional artists and makers from Hailsham Artists Network alongside members of Compass Community Arts. Visitors can see craft demonstrations, including fused glass and lino cutting and resident artist, Josie Tipler is holding an Open Studio showing her latest works, Unframed/Untamed.
The Sussex Songwriter’s Festival takes place in the gardens on Saturday afternoon, with an open mic for original music, continuing with a ticketed gig in the evening. Performers include Robb Johnson and the Irregulars, Milton Hide, Dandelion Charm, The Cheer Up Mollys and Andy Melrose. Proceeds from the Sussex Songwriter’s Festival will be donated to Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of Gary Penalver, a champion of the local live music scene.
Monthly music night, Bluebell Roots moves from the Bluebell Farmhouse Kitchen to the gardens of Pickhams on Sunday evening. The floor spots are always popular at this event, attracting both professional and gifted amateur performers. The guest musicians for the second half of the evening will be modern-folk duo Friction Farm, husband and wife team of internationally traveling troubadours from South Carolina.
Monday, the last day of the event, sees a spoken word open mic take place in the secret walled garden. Expect readings, recitations, monologues and stories galore and to round off the weekend of festivities, Slap & Tickle Theatre return to perform One Track Minds, their new comedy Saveloy Opera inspired by Gilbert and Sullivan.
The interesting gardens of Pickhams have undergone some changes including new patio areas, on which to soak up the sun, and shrub planting and new trees in a re-wilded area next to the willow walk are part of the Arlington Village Jubilee tree planting project.
Entrance to the gardens from 11:00am to 5:00pm daily is £5 (under 12’s free) which includes a tea, coffee or soft drink. Refreshments include the Summer Trifle invention, Pickhams Pie — a slice of trifle — as well as delicious homemade cakes. For Saturday and Sunday evening, visitors can pre-book a meal with their event ticket to enjoy between the music performances. Tickets can be booked via their website.
