BlakeFest 2025

The celebration starts in Felpham, in conjunction with The Blake Cottage Trust who are restoring the cottage where William and Catherine Blake lived for three years and where Blake was inspired to write. Restoration continues and it is hoped that this important cottage will partially open in 2027, the bicentennial of Blake’s death. At midday, come and join us just behind Blake’s cottage in the beautiful Old Rectory Gardens, to see Ruth Rosen’s ‘Inspired Theatrical Performance’ – ‘Man Without A Mask’ followed by a visit to the Fox pub, established in 1790. After refreshments, Jane Summerville, local resident and Ambassador of Blake Cottage Trust, will lead a guided walk of the village. In the evening there will be a free performance in St Mary’s Church by West Sussex musician Jack Boyd. Donations are very welcome. Wine will be served!

In Bognor Regis on Sunday 28 September:
Come and have the secrets of Blake's notebook unlocked. Enjoy a beguiling presentation of Romany storytelling, poetry and music bringing to life the award-winning anthology KIN (Salmon Press), the uplifting jazzy blues of vocalist Olivia Stevens with musician Stefan Rajic, and Blake & the Beats, with Chris Hardy on vocals and guitar with our Bognor poet Barry Smith. Blake’s great poems will be performed in musical settings of perennial favourites such as Tyger Tyger, The Lamb, London and Ah! Sunflower.
BlakeFest @thePier is a mix of jazz, roots, nomadic storytelling, walks, and comedy. The day begins with an exploration of Blake's sketches. Next, a showcasing of the award-winning KIN, Olivia Stevens with Stefan, Uplifting Blues/Jazz infusions finishing with the timeless magic of Blake's words. Headlining, is the famed comedy band, BonzoBills, formed by an amalgamation of members of the legendary Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band with the Bill Posters Will Be Band. The appearance of the BonzoBills ties in with the launch of a new box set of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band’s classic 1960s hits called 'Still Barking (Madfish Music)'.


Running Order – Sunday 28 September

12pm ​ C​OASTAL SKETCHES WORKSHOP
With '​ ​​The F​irst Line' ​ Judge Tamsin Rosewell

1pm ​ W​ELCOME - T​eam B​lakeF​est
‘The First Line’ - Presentation of The Roland Manuel Sketch Prize

1:15 pm ​THE ROSSETTI MANUSCRIPT - Talk by Blake Society Trustee

Open up Blake's Note Book with Broadcaster & Illustrator Tamsin Rosewell

2:00 pm KIN - ROMANY INSPIRATION
Romany musical & poetic story-telling of nomadic life vivifying Raine Geoghegan’s award-winning anthology, KIN.

3:00 JAZZ - OLIVIA STEVENS & STEFAN RAJIC
Pick up the beat with smoking hot jazz-infused blues and soul.

4:00 - 4:30 BLAKE & THE BEATS
Spotlight on Blake the Poet in brand new musical settings created by the guitarist from music/poetry ensemble Little Machine and the velvet-voiced South Downs poet, Barry Smith.

6:30 pm BONZOBILLS - Doors Open @6:15 pm
The stage is given over to an evening of comic musical entertainment as the spirit of the Bonzos lives again.