What next for BletchFest?
BletchFest is an initiative of Grange Meadow CIC, a not-for-profit community interest company based at Grange Meadow, Bletchingley, Surrey with the objective of raising funds for local community projects in Tandridge and adjacent areas. BletchFest is conceived as an annual festival of the Arts for East Surrey and 2022 was its inaugural year.
The aim was to create an inclusive platform for East Surrey visual and performing arts bringing all the benefits of well-being, enjoyment and achievement that we know the arts can bring to all sectors of the community while showcasing the many venues and groups that exist in the area. Late January 2022 saw the launch of a website bletchfest.org along with social media pages as the process of building awareness and attracting potential contributors whether as performers, sponsors or supporters began in earnest.
Our first event was a comedy night held appropriately enough on April Fool’s Day at Bletchingley Village Hall. Tickets sold out within 2 weeks of the launch with a full house enjoying stand up comedy headlined by TV’s Paul Sinha. Our collection boxes also raised £200 for the Ukraine appeal. This was followed by an Art Exhibition held at the pavilion on Grange Meadow in May. A number of local artists working in oils, acrylic and watercolour paints along with photography, ceramics and sculpture displayed and sold some of their works. Held over 2 days the final day saw local artist Uncle Stubble create a new piece using spray paints on an 8 foot square panel as local musicians provided an acoustic background.
In July we held our Music in the Meadow event featuring local musicians performing original as well as cover tunes in their own style. Some 200 people enjoyed the outdoor event at Grange Meadow.
In our first year we have begun the process of engaging with the community to gain support for the initiative. We now have contacts with local artists as individuals and groups, gained some resources to carry through to next year’s events programme along with a great deal of experience all of which will enable us to make 2023 bigger and better. We end the year with all those boxes ticked having seen the hits to our website and social media pages exceed our expectations so we now know the interest is there.
Now we look to 2023. We will again hold a comedy night in April, and art exhibition in May and a music festival in June/July but we want to do more. Not only do we know we can make these existing events bigger and better in 2023 but we wish to add more opportunities to cover other performing and visual arts such as dance, theatre and crafts. To do this we need artists and groups to come forward to work with us, whether as participants, organisers or sponsors, in building attractive and entertaining events. Share your ideas with us. It is truly intended to be a community endeavour.
The more resources we have the better the events can be. In 2022 we received help from a number of individuals and organisations including Bletchingley Parish Council, Lions, New Music Nights Group, Print Reigate, Rayners, Seawhite of Brighton, Tandridge District Council, The Yard at Reigate Station. Commercial and Civic enterprises alike all benefit from direct association with worthy community activity and with the exposure gained from our maiden events we now have the reach to show the value in doing so. If you or your organisation would like discuss these opportunities with us then please do get in touch for a chat. Contact details are available on our website where you can also view our 2023 prospectus at bletchfest.org/prospectus