News

Patron David Matthews .....  Artistic Director, Paul Henley .... After the first Corvedale Festival, I would like to say 'thank you' to all those people who helped to make it happen, including the audiences. The principles that formed the foundation of the Festival remain - firstly, to give work to artists struggling after the decimation of the arts industry due to 'lockdowns'. Secondly - to bring quality art and artists to the local area and encourage a sense of community through the involvement of local people. Thirdly - to nurture a belief in the value and importance of the arts for society. The arts are food for the soul, and for this reason we will again be holding a Festival Service at St. Peter's Church, Diddlebury. It is still a very difficult time for the arts and this year there have been serious cuts in funding for the music industry. There is no substitute for the visceral experience of live events and the connection they can make with an audience. It is vital that we try and move on in faith, giving thanks to the living, loving spirit that gives us artistic gifts, and that we have a chance to celebrate and give thanks for these in the Festival. There is a profound need for the arts and for us to show gratitude for what the arts bring to society. The Corvedale Festival is an opportunity to do that and to be enriched thereby. After the first Festival, we were then faced with the question - 'where do we go from here?' Having given the matter due consideration, we are very pleased to be continuing with the Festival this year and it was very helpful to have received many positive comments from both the artists and members of our loyal and appreciative audiences - some of these are available to read on the 'Review' part of this website - I would encourage you to have a look there. The Festival this year will have the same basic format. There will be a mixture of the familiar together with some new elements - some artists will be returning, including the Jarualda Quartet as Artists-in-Residence, along with artists who are new to the Festival - I believe that sort of balance is important. I would like to thank all those who are helping in any way with this year's Festival, both in ways that are obvious and less obvious - it really is a team effort and, as our motto says, 'International in Scope - Local in Feel' - a Festival for the wider community and for Corvedale. I believe it is vital to try and get the arts going again and encourage a positive attitude to that. That is one of the principal motivations behind this Festival. There really is no substitute for live events - they are not an option, they are absolutely necessary.