Two-week festival celebrates wealth of talent in Hurst

The two-week festival, which takes place from September 13 to 27, was founded to celebrate the wealth of talent in the picturesque West Sussex village and to provide a stage for leading national names.

This year’s festival is staying true to those aims with a packed programme of art, music, film, dance, theatre, literature, family fun and general interest.

A variety of venues across the village will host nearly 70 events over the fortnight. These include: an iPad painting class, an exhibition by illustration behemoth John Vernon Lord, a bantam-keeping workshop to a tour of the new Bedlam Brewery, a drive-in cinema for children and an all-star comedy night for their parents, a community singalong, a performance from jazz star Claire Martin, film installations, disco-dancing, open-houses and open mics.

Made for and with the community, festival-goers are invited to explore every aspect of local life, whether touring Hurstpierpoint College or the Albourne EstateVineyard, visiting a pig-keeping project on the edge of the village, taking part in a guided walk, watching Buster Keaton classics at the Players Theatre or enjoying an intimate concert in a private home through the festival’s popular Soirees section.

There’s also the opportunity to see high-profile names including BBC Match of the Day commentator (and Hassocks resident) Jonathan Pearce; Hollywood screenwriter William Nicholson in conversation with his wife, bestselling author Virginia Nicholson; comedian Joe Lycett (BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 4, BBC2, C4, BBC3) and renowned pianist Marie-Martine Bollman.

This year’s Festival opens at 10am on September 13 with a peal of bells at Holy Trinity Church before the Village Open Day commences.

Many events are free, while others start at £5.

Visit www.hurstfestival.org.uk for full listings.

Tickets and information

Dates: Saturday, September 13, to Saturday, September 27.

Locations: Various venues in and around Hurstpierpoint.

Book online: www.hurst

festival.org.uk.

In person: Box office at The Players Theatre, 147 High Street, Hurstpierpoint. Open 11am to 3pm, Thursday to Saturday, July 31, to September 12.