Chelsea Fringe Henley Reveals 2018 Event Ideas

Planning is underway for this year’s Chelsea Fringe Henley Festival. The event, which will run from Saturday 19th to Sunday 27th May, includes a variety of exciting features, including poetry in the garden, and once again the amazing floral flotilla.

The initial schedule was revealed at a meeting hosted by co-ordinators Victoria Newton and Jane Macfarlane Duckworth. On Thursday 1st March, local residents were invited to come to the Town Hall to hear the ideas, and share proposals for their own events.

The week of floral festivities is set to kick off with a feature by the Berkshire College of Agriculture on Sunday 20th, along with a peaceful garden event at the Quakers’ meeting house. The fun will also spread to the Thames with a Floral Flotilla on the river. Henley’s Fairmile Vineyard is hoping to host a Fringe event on the Monday, whilst Tuesday may see ‘Nature in the Rough’ poetry readings in the beautiful surroundings of Hambleden.

Throughout the week, there are plans for plenty of outdoor activities, including a silent walk in Cuxham, ‘Wellbeing in the Garden’ with nutritionist and pilates teacher Ruth Green, and the return of last year’s popular ‘Garden Gong Bath’. There are also suggestions of an event on Saturday 26th at the recently planted community orchard, near Paradise Road. Finally, organisers are hoping to hold a celebration of the volunteer flower arrangers at the local churches.

The Chelsea Fringe aims to encourage people to experience the excitement of gardening. “The idea is to open up gardening to everyone, so the majority of events are free,” explained Victoria Newton. Though the initial schedule has been revealed, it is by no means finalised, and there is still plenty of opportunity to contribute an idea. “We’d really like to encourage people to get involved, either with their own event or as a volunteer,” said Victoria. “If you want to come forward with ideas, there is a support network for you.”

If you would like to get involved with the festival, email victoria.newton@btinternet.com. For more information, follow the Chelsea Fringe Henley on Facebook, Twitter @chelseafringehn, or find out more via the Chelsea Fringe website.