Arts Festival 2023 A Huge Success With Families 
With ‘The Force of Nature’ as its theme the annual highly acclaimed Royston Arts Festival culminated with the main Arts and Photographic Exhibitions in the Town Hall and a Gala in the Memorial Gardens.
Throughout its ten day duration, there had been a whole host of festivities that included competitions, talks, wine tasting, workshops, plays and other family orientated events taking place in churches, schools, the library, and the Museum.
Some local businesses, including Revolution Records, who were celebrating their 1st Birthday with local D. J.’s and a guitarist, and Bow Books where Chris Parker from Cambridge was making his debut as an author by launching his first book, collaborated with the organisers to add to the finale of the Festival.
Individuals had also turned up to add their talents to the day. The relaxing, mellow tones of a Saxophone wafted out over the Market Place with twelve year old Harry Talbot yielding some famous numbers such as ‘The Belgian Detective’, the theme from the classic Poirot series. The instrument was a Christmas present from his parents and he is now a budding jazz artist.
The Mayor, Clr Lisa Adams, called in at the Arts Exhibition and fell in love with the very unique work of local artist, Julia Malakovna, titled the ‘Tumbling Stream’. The Royston Arts Society has now organised over 20 such exhibitions and was pleased with the support from 40 plus exhibitors this year. The winner was Society member, Tina Bone, with her vivid rendering of exotic Macaws.
Over in the Remembrance Gardens, on Saturday, a rip roaring Gala was staged with plenty of children’s activities, delicious food from the Street Food heroes, a climate Sustainability Zone, music, and international dance demonstrations. The highlight of the day was the renowned choreographed Kate Flatt’s ‘The Weather Machine’ routine. The weather mechanicals are quirky, retro, Laurel and Hardy style characters who grapple with the elements and strain to stay in control of the fantabulous ‘Weather Machine’, suggesting that nature is far stronger than man.
The Festival was partnered by Johnson Matthey, and sponsored by The Listing Magazine, Royston First, North Herts District Council, Tesco, and the Brian Leslie Racher Trust.
Article and photography Clive Porter
