The GAP Festival 2024 Programme

7th-16th June

SUMMER 2024

THE SWAN AT STREATLEY

There’s lots happening at The Swan this summer season, from paddle boarding and boating on the river, to outdoor yoga, cinema screenings and picnics on the lawn.

Head to our website or scan the code below to get all the info.

@coppaclub

coppaclub.co.uk/theswanatstreatley

The GAP Festival 2024

The aim of the Goring and Streatley Festival charity is to promote art in all forms, through a diverse collection of exciting cultural events. Once again our hard working and talented volunteer team offers you another jam-packed, ten day programme of workshops, performances and activities.

In this, our 5th Festival, we will take you beyond the realms of creativity, artistry and possibility. Even our science based events are out of this world! We welcome the return of previous favourites, including Market Day, GAP Opera and Open Air theatre, along with new wellbeing workshops, a diverse creative workshop programme and introducing exciting new young musical talent. There really is something for everyone and we encourage you to try out something new.

This year’s festival also coincides with the national Great Big Green Week and we continue to make sustainable choices wherever possible. Our smart new website www.thegapfestival.org provides full details of all events and this lighter-touch brochure, printed with vegetable ink on recycled paper, reflects our commitment to a greener festival.

Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and Festival Friends, we are able to provide many events FREE and ensure ticket prices remain accessible to all.

I am sure you all join me in extending sincere gratitude to every one of the hard working trustees, planners, organisers, creatives and stewards, who make this Festival possible.

On behalf of the whole Team, we present the 2024 programme and wish you a warm welcome, as you enjoy all the talent, fun and wonder of this incredible community.

GINNY AVERY | ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, GAP FESTIVAL 2024.

Please note, doors will open half an hour before the performance starts unless otherwise stated. All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, unless otherwise stated. This year’s Festival will be cashless, only contactless card payments will be available at events.

Ginny Avery

Events at a glance

An evening of humorous anecdotes and dazzling musicianship from one of the world’s leading mandolin players SIMON MAYOR AND FRIENDS on Fri 7th June.

Join geek songstress HELEN ARNEY for a family show of songs about science, maths and the wonders of the world on Fri 14th June.

Botanist and horticultural expert Timothy Walker gives a lively talk on 400 YEARS OF GARDEN DESIGN IN OXFORDSHIRE on Tue 11th June.

A rare opportunity to enjoy a bespoke production of Mozart’s THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO in an intimate setting, on Fri 14th, Sat 15th and Sun 16th June.

KEY TO ICONS

Arts: From ceramics to acrylics, try your hand at a workshop or enjoy the art exhibition on display.

Music: Enjoy opera, classical, acoustic, popular, jazz and more, in indoor and outdoor settings.

Word: Experience a range of discussions, talks and comedy performances.

Film+Theatre: Take in film screenings at our Children’s Film Festival or theatre performances.

Science+Nature: Explore the natural world and beyond with a wide range of activities and events.

Children/Family: Join a variety of events that are fun for all the family.

Wellbeing: Focus on you with our fitness and wellbeing events.

Throughout the Festival

‘Playful’ Art Installation

Rectory Garden, Goring High Street

‘Fringe’ Music Performances

See website for details

Friday 7th June

Festival Wellbeing: Boxing

The Swan at Streatley Gym 7am-8am

Teddy Bears’ Picnic Rectory Garden, Goring High Street 10am-12pm

Painting Party Morrell Room, Streatley 6pm-9pm

Simon Mayor and Friends Goring Village Hall 7.30pm-9.30pm

Saturday 8th June

Festival Wellbeing: Stand Up Paddleboarding

The River, The Swan at Streatley 9am-9.45am

Planetarium: Fly Through the Cosmos

Goring Village Hall Timed sessions

Build a Lego Satellite Rectory Garden, Goring High Street Timed sessions

Water Rocket Blast Off Streatley Meadows Timed sessions

Behind the Scenes of OrbAstro OrbAstro, 3 Thames Court, Goring Timed sessions

Space Yoga

The Garden Room, Goring Village Hall 9.30am-10.30am

Explore the Solar System Rectory Garden, Goring High Street 10am-5pm

Zim Zam Zoom!

The Belleme Room, Goring Village Hall 10.30am-11am

Build a Rocket Ship!

The Garden Room, Goring Village Hall 11am-12.30pm

The Big Beyond

The Garden Room, Goring Village Hall 2pm-3pm

An Evening with Space Scientists Goring Village Hall 7.30pm-9pm

Tour the Night Sky Rectory Garden, Goring High Street 10pm-11pm

Sunday 9th June

Festival Wellbeing: Family Yoga with Emma Horwill Goring Village Hall 9am-10am

The Great Green Food Day Rectory Garden, Goring High Street 11am-2pm

Enchanting Miniature Garden Competition Rectory Garden, Goring High Street 11am-2pm

Children’s Film Festival and Movie Screening

Goring Village Hall 3pm-6.30pm

Papagena: Love, Legends and Lullabies

St Thomas’ Church, Goring 7.30pm-9.30pm

Monday 10th June

Festival Wellbeing: Pilates with LK Pilates Goring Village Hall 7am-8am

Learn to make Fabric Baskets

The Canterbury Room, Goring 10am-1pm

Pastel Portrait Painting

The Garden Room, Goring Village Hall 6pm-9pm

An Audience with True Crime Author Helen Saxton

Goring Village Hall 7.30pm-9.30pm

Tuesday 11th June

Festival Wellbeing: Swim with Jo

The River Thames, Streatley 7am-8am

Brass Classical Favourites

Our Lady & St John Catholic Church, Goring 12.30pm-1.15pm

Pen and Wash Sketching

The Canterbury Room, Goring 1.30pm-5.30pm

Paradise Lost and Restored: 400 Years of Garden Design in Oxfordshire Goring Village Hall 7.30pm-9.30pm

Wednesday 12th June

Festival Wellbeing: Run with Elkie Rectory Garden, Goring High Street 7am-8am

Japanese Woodblock Printing

The Canterbury Room, Goring 1.30pm-4.30pm

Where is Mrs Christie?

Goring Village Hall 7pm-9.30pm

Thursday 13th June

Festival Wellbeing: Breathe to Ease Stress with Ginny Avery

The Garden Room, Goring Village Hall 8am-8.45am

Indian Block Printing

Goring Village Hall 10am-1pm

Make a Willow Basket

The Garden Room, Goring Village Hall 10am-4pm

The Adventures of Doctor Dolittle Friars Ford, Goring 5.30pm-7.20pm

Thames Valley Catholics

Our Lady & St John Catholic Church, Goring 7.30pm-8.30pm

Goring Unplugged at The GAP Festival Goring Village Hall 8pm-10.30pm

Friday 14th June

Festival Wellbeing: Bootcamp with Hannah Dunbar Rectory Garden, Goring High Street 7am-8am

Acrylic Landscapes Painting

The Canterbury Room, Goring 10am-3pm

Helen Arney: Voice of an Angle Goring Village Hall 7pm-8pm

GAP Festival Opera: The Marriage of Figaro Streatley Farmhouse 6.30pm-10.30pm

Saturday 15th June

Festival Wellbeing: Dancing for Gut Health

Goring Village Hall 9am-9.30am

Art Exhibition: Celebrating Community Art

Morrell Room, Streatley 10am-4pm

Festival Market Day

Rectory Garden, Goring High Street 10am-4pm

Willow Bird Feeder Workshop Garden Room, Goring Village Hall 11am-1pm

Meet and Greet the Owls

Withymead Nature Reserve 12pm-4pm

Introducing: Anoop Sira and Evergreen St Thomas’ Church, Goring 2.30pm-4.15pm

GAP Festival Opera: The Marriage of Figaro

Streatley Farmhouse 6.30pm-10.30pm

Dance and Swing with The Ding Dong Daddios

Goring Village Hall 7.30pm-10.30pm

Sunday 16th June

Festival Wellbeing: Mindfulness and Meditation with Andy Taylor

The Garden Room, Goring Village Hall 9am-10am

Art Exhibition: Celebrating Community Art Morrell Room, Streatley 10am-4pm

Modelling a Sculptural Ceramic Bird

Milldown Pottery, Goring 10am-12pm

Ring Out The Bells

Rectory Garden, Goring High Street 10.30am-12.30pm

Festival Picnic Concert

Rectory Garden, Goring High Street 1pm-3pm

GAP Festival Opera: The Marriage of Figaro

Streatley Farmhouse 6.30pm-10.30pm

With over 50 fantastic events this year, there is something for everyone to enjoy!

The GAP Festival 2024

Friday 7th June

Friday 7th June | 7am-8am

The Swan at Streatley Gym

Festival Wellbeing: Boxing

£5

Kick off our first Festival Wellbeing session with a boxing class that incorporates solid pad work, body weight training and conditioning. All levels are welcome.

Friday 7th June | 10am-12pm

Rectory Gardens, Goring High Street

Teddy Bears’ Picnic

Calling all children aged 0-4 years! Come along with your parents and carers to Goring Free Church’s morning of games, free play and an interactive story. Bring your Teddy/soft toy, rug, picnic food/drinks, sunscreen and hat. Weather permitting.

Sponsored by CRANFORD SCHOOL

Saturday 8th June

Friday 7th June | 6pm-9pm

The Morrell Room Streatley Painting Party

£30

Unleash your inner artist and join a relaxed fun evening using a number of different materials to create a still life painting. Local artist Jane Dipple will guide and supply all you need to create your own masterpiece.

Friday 7th June | 7.30pm-9.30pm

Goring Village Hall

Simon Mayor and Friends

£20

Join Simon Mayor, one of the world’s leading mandolinists, and friends, for an evening of dazzling musicianship and offbeat humour. Playing everything from Vivaldi mandolins to Irish ballads, hot-swing fiddle and tangos!

Saturday 8th June | 9am-9.45am

The River Thames, The Swan at Streatley

Festival Wellbeing: Stand Up Paddleboarding

Join The SUP Life out on the water. Stand Up Paddleboarding is a fun and inclusive way for people of all abilities to enjoy our beautiful waterways. Come and join us for a 45 minute taster session.

BAR

WATER SNACKS

Saturday 8th June – Space Day

Join us for a day of intergalactic activities and experiences across the cosmos for all ages. In partnership with OrbAstro.

Planetarium: Fly Through the Cosmos | Timed sessions

Goring Village Hall

Travel through the cosmos in this immersive planetarium experience.

Build a Lego Satellite | Timed sessions

Rectory Garden, Goring High Street

Discover how to build a real satellite with OrbAstro’s engineers and create your own with Lego.

Water Rocket Blast Off | Timed sessions

Streatley Meadows

5…4…3…2…1…blast off a water rocket. Fun for all ages, with guaranteed spills and thrills.

The Belleme Room, Goring Village Hall

Zim Zam Zoom! | 10.30am-11am

Fun and interactive space poetry and riddles for mini space cadets with poet James Carter. 0-5 years.

Build a Rocket Ship! | 11am-12.30pm

The Garden Room, Goring Village Hall

Get crafty and build your own rocket ship. Suitable for 5-8 years.

Sponsored by: THE ARTS SOCIETY GORING

The Big Beyond | 2pm-3pm

The Garden Room, Goring Village Hall

Behind the Scenes of OrbAstro | Timed sessions

OrbAstro, 3 Thames Court, Goring

See behind the scenes of satellite manufacturers OrbAstro on this unique tour. Over 12s.

Space Yoga | 9.30am-10.30am

The Garden Room, Goring Village Hall

Defy gravity and find your inner Yoda with Emma Horwill in this space themed yoga session. 5+ years.

Explore the Solar System | 10am-5pm

Rectory Garden, Goring High Street

Uncover cosmic planet facts in this treasure hunt across the solar system.

A cosmic madcap workshop of space poems, music and storytelling with poet James Carter. 5-11 years.

An Evening with Space Scientists | 7.30pm-9pm

Goring Village Hall

Space experts discuss the future of space exploration and sustainability in this exclusive talk. Plus Q&A.

Tour the Night Sky | 10pm-11pm

Rectory Garden, Goring High Street

Tour the night sky through a telescope in this special stargazing experience.

Sunday 9th June

Sunday 9th June | 9am-10am

Goring Village Hall

Festival Wellbeing: Family Yoga with Emma Horwill

Teaching with an open heart, warmth and a sense of humour, Emma’s speciality is teaching children, teens and adults of all ages, so bring your toddler and your grandparent! You’ll leave feeling refreshed, relaxed and healed, as well as gently toned and invigorated. Finding space within your body and mind from the inside out.

Sunday 9th June | 11am-2pm

Rectory Garden, Goring High Street

Enchanting Miniature Gardens Competition

Make a miniature garden on the theme of a biodiverse eco garden and bring it along to Rectory Garden between 11am-11.30am for judging and prize giving as part of The Great Green Food Day. Winners and prizes will be announced at 2pm. Use your imagination to create a magical garden in a small container (maximum size 60cm x 45cm). Further details on our website.

Sunday 9th June | 11am-2pm

Rectory Garden, Goring High Street

The Great Green Food Day

Join our local contribution to the nation’s Great Big Green Week. Discover creative ways to let our eating and food play a vital part in helping to tackle climate change, reduce waste and protect nature. Listen to visiting experts, bring a picnic or buy your food and drinks in the garden. There’ll be live music, stalls and fun activities for all the family.

Sponsored by GREEN GAS OXON

Providing Renewable Gas to Goring and Streatley since 2014

LOCALLY PRODUCED FOOD POP-UP CAFÉS

Sunday 9th June | 3pm-6.30pm

Goring Village Hall

Children’s Film Festival and Movie Screening

£7

The Children’s Film Festival is back. Join us and the 'paparazzi' on the red carpet, for this film premiere extravaganza! We will screen short films made by local young creatives. The winning entries to the Children’s Film Festival will be announced and presented with fantastic industry-related prizes. Come and applaud the filmmakers as we showcase their creativity with lights, camera and ACTION! Then, stay on and grab a drink, some popcorn and snacks, for a family friendly feature movie (details to be announced closer to the event). Not to be missed!

Sponsored by

Monday 10th June

Monday 10th June | 7am-8am

Goring Village Hall

Festival Wellbeing:

Pilates with LK Pilates

Bring a mat and rise and shine with Lindsey Kent as she takes you through a pilates class aimed at strengthening, lengthening and increasing flexibility. Lindsey has been practising pilates for over 20 years and teaching locally for over 8 years. She has a wealth of experience in teaching all ages and abilities and would love to show you the amazing benefits that taking a regular class can bring.

Sunday 9th June | 7.30pm-9.30pm

St Thomas of Canterbury Church, Goring Papagena: Love,

Legends and Lullabies

£18

The UK’s flagship female voice ensemble Papagena presents a diverse programme ranging from sacred medieval works and contemporary madrigals to lilting Celtic ballads, folk legends and lullabies. Throw into the mix Purcell, Scarlatti, MacMillan, Sandy Denny, Canadian mouth music and a comedic commission setting words by Caitlin Moran and you have something for everyone!

£5

SNACKS REFRESHMENTS

HOTDOGS

Monday 10th June | 10am-1pm

The Canterbury Room, St Thomas of Canterbury Church, Goring

Learn to make Fabric Baskets

Fabric, which is no longer needed, can be repurposed to make useful and decorative baskets for the home. Torn fabric strips are wrapped around an inner cord and secured, using a technique referred to as “coiled basket weaving”. Everything is done by hand, so no sewing machine is required. No experience is needed, come and have a go.

Monday 10th June | 6pm-9pm

The Garden Room, Goring Village Hall

Pastel Portrait Painting

Back by popular demand, local artist Mandy Monkcom returns to guide you through creating a portrait from a photograph using soft pastels. Soft pastels have a versatility that allows you to bring subjects to life on a surface in a way that is expressive, but allows for a subtle approach.

Monday 10th June | 7.30pm-9.30pm

Goring Village Hall

An Audience with True Crime Author Helen Saxton

Join true crime author Helen Saxton in conversation about her debut book, and uncover the controversial story of Amanda Knox surrounding the murder of British student Meredith Kercher in 2007. We’ll not only discuss the case, but actors will reconstruct key events to ask the ultimate question – can any of us who weren’t there that fateful night, ever really claim to know what happened? Further details on our website.

Tuesday 11th June

Tuesday 11th June I 7am-8am

The River Thames, Streatley

Festival Wellbeing: Swim with Jo

Experience Goring and Streatley from a duck’s eye view, with a wild swim in the Thames. There are plentiful mental health and well-being benefits from being in the open water, come and experience wild swimming first hand with experienced swimmer and coach Jo Jones on hand to guide and support the swim. The session includes an introductory talk about wild swimming and then a short, guided swim.

Tuesday 11th June | 12.30pm-1.15pm

Our Lady & St John Catholic Church, Goring

Brass Classical Favourites

£5

Join Barnabas Brass for a selection of classical favourites and light hearted lollipops from the wonderful world of music for brass instruments. Barnabas Brass are an ensemble of brass musicians based in South Oxfordshire of varying ages.

REFRESHMENTS

Tuesday 11th June | 7.30pm-9.30pm

Goring Village Hall

Paradise Lost and Restored: 400 Years of Garden Design in Oxfordshire

The history of English garden design can be told in different ways, but rarely can it be told by looking at one garden. Botanist and horticultural expert Timothy Walker will share in this talk, how the art of gardening has changed, or perhaps has not, in four centuries in Oxfordshire and how the Oxford Botanic Garden now reflects garden design at the beginning of the 21st century. Further details on our website.

Sponsored by MORTIMER BURNETT

Tuesday 11th June | 1.30pm-5.30pm

The Canterbury Room, St Thomas of Canterbury Church, Goring Pen

and Wash Sketching

£25

This workshop will show you how to sketch buildings in the landscape with a pen and wash, with artist Jonathan Newey as your tutor. During the afternoon you will be shown how to sketch skies, trees and buildings in the landscape using techniques such as wet in wet, lifting and blotting, how to draw perspective and how to sketch with the pen in a loose and lively way. By the end of the afternoon you will have produced at least one sketch.

TEA/COFFEE

goring hardware

So much more than a Hardware Store

Did you know we cover the following sections…

Gardening Kitchenware Cleaning

Electrical Plumbing Biking Pet

Haberdashery Laundry Outdoors

Bird Seed Grass Seed Duck & Swan food

Services include:

Key cutting Tool Sharpening

Pet tags Watch battery replacement

Rug doctor hire

Ecover Faith in Nature refills

We look forward to welcoming you soon.

Open Mon to Sat 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Sunday 9:30 am to 1:00 pm

01491 872420 info@goringhardware.com

Wednesday 12th June

Wednesday 12th June | 7am-8am

Rectory Garden, Goring High Street Festival Wellbeing: Run with Elkie

£5

Elkie Mace is a running coach based in Goring, who believes that everyone can grow their enjoyment of running. This session involves warm up drills, a technique focus and mixed pace efforts based on time (rather than distance so slower and quicker runners can run together). It is designed so that runners of varying fitness and experience can run together. No one is left behind and there is no minimum fitness level.

Wednesday 12th June | 7pm-9.30pm

Goring Village Hall

Where is Mrs Christie?

Agatha Christie was one of the greatest thriller writers of all time. She lived in Wallingford for over 40 years and is buried in Cholsey. In 1926 she was at the centre of a mystery as perplexing as her books and one of the most extensive police hunts in history. Her crashed car was discovered with the famous author missing, presumed dead. She was found eleven days later, claiming she remembered nothing. Did she lie, or was it really amnesia? In this one woman show, as in every good thriller, all will be revealed! There will be a Q&A after the performance. Suitable for 12+.

Wednesday 12th June | 1.30pm-4.30pm

The Canterbury Room, St Thomas of Canterbury Church, Goring Japanese Woodblock Printing

£20

Painter and printmaker Karen Carter will guide you through the fascinating process of creating a small carved woodblock, a typical Japanese way of printing and then printing it bit by bit in the style of the Provincetown Printers using watercolours. This is a printing technique that is easily replicated at home with very basic tools. No previous knowledge of printing is required.

Thursday 13th June

Thursday 13th June | 8am-8.45am

The Garden Room, Goring Village Hall

Festival Wellbeing: Breathe to Ease Stress with Ginny Avery

Back by popular demand – establish a sense of calm and rebuild inner strength through simple and effective breathing exercises. Based on an eclectic mix of yoga, singing and Butekyo techniques, learn to cope better with stress and anxiety. Led by voice coach and Festival Artistic Director Ginny Avery.

Thursday 13th June | 10am-4pm

The Garden Room, Goring Village Hall Make a Willow Basket

This all day course will teach you all the fundamental stages of making traditional baskets. Your tutor Suz Williams of The Coppice Co, will guide you through the various stages of making the base, adding the uprights and then weaving the sides before adding a handle. A basket like this can last decades and carry heavy loads. This course is perfect for people really wanting to learn how to craft baskets. All materials included in the price.

Thursday 13th June | 10am-1pm

Goring Village Hall Indian Block Printing

In this workshop with Merete Hawkins, you will become familiar with the basic technique of block printing on fabric, using carved Indian wood blocks as well as other printing blocks. There will be time to experiment with traditional blocks, coordinating blocks and also free layering of patterns. You will be given a tote bag to print your own design on and also a couple of pieces of fabric for printing, which can be made into cushion covers at home. No experience is required.

Live pop-up performances

Alongside all of the spectacular music events you’ll find detailed in this programme, there will also be a wide range of “fringe” music events popping up throughout the Festival. These will take place at local pubs and restaurants, in some intimate indoor and alfresco outdoor settings. From jazz and folk to acoustic and pop music. Individual performers to full-pieced bands. Local performers to semi-professional musicians. These largely unticketed performances will give you the chance to sit back and soak up the Festival atmosphere with a drink in hand.

Full details of these events will be shared on our social media and listed on our website www.thegapfestival.org

Thursday 13th June | 5.30pm-7.20pm (Doors open 4.30pm)

Friars Ford, Manor Road, Goring

The Adventures of Doctor Dolittle

By Hugh Lofting, adapted by Oliver Gray

One day Doctor Dolittle makes an extraordinary discovery: that he can talk to animals! This magical production of Hugh Lofting’s timeless classic is presented by Illyria, the same company that brought us Peter Pan, which sold out in 2022. A funny and exciting family musical performed with flair and wit in the great outdoors. Bring your own seating, rug and picnic. Suitable for ages 5+ (younger children also welcome!)

Sponsored by GREEN GAS OXON

Thursday 13th June | 7.30pm-8.30pm

Our Lady & St John Catholic Church, Goring Thames Valley Catholics

Father Kenneth Macnab introduces the fascinating story of the persistence of Catholicism in south Oxfordshire and the Catholic parish of Goring.

Thursday 13th June | 8pm-10.30pm

Goring Village Hall

Goring Unplugged at The GAP Festival

For twenty years Goring Unplugged has been bringing together professional performers, local musicians and first-time performers of all ages for a friendly evening of unplugged music. Come and experience the best of this unrivalled acoustic event at The GAP Festival. With familiar faces performing, whether you are an Unplugged regular or new to this music night, you are in for a treat! Further details on our website.

Friday 14th June

Friday 14th June | 7am-8am

Rectory Garden, Goring High Street

Festival Wellbeing: Bootcamp with Hannah Dunbar

Start your day the right way by coming to a fun and energetic full-body bootcamp with coach Hannah. This invigorating bootcamp session will work on improving your fitness, strength and flexibility. The session is open to all fitness abilities, but some basic level of fitness would be beneficial. Combining both body weight and basic equipment, this session will provide lots of variety and will be a great physical and mental challenge!

Friday 14th June | 10am-3pm

The Canterbury Room, St Thomas of Canterbury Church, Goring

Acrylic Landscape Painting

£30

This is a 5 hour workshop that will show you how to paint impressionist style summer landscapes with acrylic paint. Using photographs and sketches as reference you will be shown how to use the paint thick and thin, how to mix the colours of summer and how to paint in a loose and impressionistic style. Your tutor Jonathan Newey will show you how to produce imaginary landscapes, which you can have a go at or copy the reference photo provided.

Become a Friend of The GAP Festival

Whether you are able or unable to attend our amazing events this year, if you'd like to support promoting the arts and culture in our villages, you can become a Friend of the Festival for a donation of £50. As a registered charity, we put any money we receive back into each biennial GAP Festival, enabling more of our community to enjoy, celebrate and experience the arts and science, including music, visual arts, drama, literature, film etc. In return for your support, we’ll invite you to our Friends and Sponsors reception. For full details visit our website www.thegapfestival.org

Friday 14th June | 7pm-8pm

Goring Village Hall

Helen Arney: Voice of an Angle

Join the UK’s premiere geek songstress for a one hour family show of songs about science, maths, and the wonders of the world around us! As seen on BBC2, Channel 4 and Discovery, science songwriter Helen Arney and her trusty ukulele are here to make you laugh, think, learn, and leave you singing along to infinity (and beyond). Suitable for 8+.

Friday 14th June | 6.30pm-10.30pm

Streatley Farmhouse

GAP Festival Opera: The Marriage of Figaro

Opera on your doorstep as GAP Festival Opera returns to the glorious setting of Streatley Farmhouse. Order a specially curated hamper or bring your own picnic and enjoy an evening of glorious music featuring singers drawn from the country’s finest opera houses in an exclusive production of Mozart’s best-loved comedy. A performance to delight opera aficionados and first-timers alike. Full details on our website. Additional performances are taking place on Saturday 15th June and Sunday 16th June.

Saturday 15th June

Saturday 15th June | 9am-9.30am

Goring Village Hall Festival Wellbeing: Dancing for Gut Health

With 24 years of Ballroom and Belly Dancing experience, Sonia will take you through a 30-minute dance session where you will move your whole body and experience a gentle massage of your organs by using simple dance moves. Fun and giggles guaranteed!

Saturday 15th - Sunday 16th June | 10am-4pm

Morrell Room, Streatley Art Exhibition: Celebrating Community Art

Organisations and artists come together to display the amazing creativity we have here in the Goring Gap. Many of these groups have been inspired by The GAP Festival and are run on a non profit making, voluntary basis. See how art in many forms might inspire you.

Art exhibition on all weekend

Saturday 15th June | 10am-4pm

Rectory Garden, Goring High Street

Festival Market Day

Back by popular demand, come and enjoy browsing arts, crafts and skills from our local community at this fun family market day. Enjoy face painting, children’s story time, refreshments, live music and other exciting pop-up performances.

Saturday 15th June | 12pm-4pm

Withymead Nature Reserve

Meet and Greet the Owls

Visit Withymead Nature Reserve and meet some of our local species of owl face to face, in association with the Owl Conservation Project (formerly known as the British Owl Project). Learn all about owls, how they hunt, owl conservation and have a go at pellet dissection. After, enjoy a stroll around the reserve. Further details on our website.

Saturday 15th June | 11am-1pm

The Garden Room, Goring Village Hall

Willow Bird Feeder Workshop

£15

Suz Williams founder of the Coppice Co. spends much of her time outside in the woods managing coppice woodlands. However in the summer months passes her skills onto those people who enjoy making natural woodland crafts. During this workshop you will make a willow fat ball bird feeder and learn several basketry techniques that are used in larger projects. This workshop is great for beginners who would like to have a go at willow weaving.

Playful Art Installation

Rectory Garden, Goring High Street

Throughout the Festival

Following the joy this installation brought in 2022, Playful returns to the outdoor space of Goring’s Rectory Garden. It is a lighthearted and colourful invitation to enjoy the festival atmosphere. We hope you will be attracted to rest in the gardens, bring picnics and simply capture the moment. Playful is designed by Ilka Weiss and created by the Goring Textile Group.

Saturday 15th June | 2.30pm-4.15pm

St Thomas of Canterbury Church, Goring

Introducing: Anoop Sira and Evergreen

Come and hear from young, new, local music talent, as we introduce 17 year-old soulful ballad singer songwriter Anoop Sira, who has been writing music since the age of 7. Performing music has been a passion for as long as he can remember. Alongside Anoop, we also welcome duo Evergreen, who have taken to the folk scene with a blend of pure vocals, lively fiddle and dexterous guitar playing, putting a contemporary spin on traditional songs and tunes inspired by the likes of Jackie Oats, Gilmore and Roberts, and many more.

£5

Saturday 15th June | 6.30pm-10.30pm

Streatley Farmhouse

GAP Festival Opera: The Marriage of Figaro

Saturday 15th June | 7.30pm-10.30pm (jive class 6.15pm-7pm)

Goring Village Hall

Dance and Swing with The Ding Dong Daddios and Jive Class

£17.50

£25 including jive class, £10 jive class only.

Swing the night away with one of UK's longest running jive and swing bands, The Ding Dong Daddios. With doo-wop harmonies, trombone solos, guitar licks and a drummer who appears to be one bass-drum short of a kit – the Ding Dong Daddios have played festivals and parties across the country. From 6.15pm-7pm there will also be a short class in the Belleme Room with dance partners Sarah and Mark, who will introduce you to modern jive steps beforehand. Come and get your jive on – there ain't no party like a Daddio party! No experience needed – just come and have fun!

£50

£40

£30

The second performance of GAP Festival Opera in the glorious setting of Streatley Farmhouse. Details on page 23 and further information on our website.

Sunday 16th June

Sunday 16th June | 9am-10am

£5

The Garden Room, Goring Village Hall Festival Wellbeing: Mindfulness and Meditation with Andy Taylor

Join Andy Taylor in a guided mindfulness meditation followed by some teaching about the practice of mindfulness and a Q&A session. Andy’s practice of mindfulness and meditation began over forty years ago through Buddhism. Since then, the ten week course he has been teaching for the past ten years, is based on the modern secular form, originally developed by John Kabat-Zinn.

Sunday 16th June | 10am-12pm

The Studio, Milldown Pottery, 47 Milldown Road, Goring

Modelling a Sculptural Ceramic Bird

£20

Local potter Sarah Rushbrooke invites a small group to her studio in Goring to create a small ceramic bird modelled from clay and then decorated in slips and underglazes. Sarah will fire these in her kiln and arrange for collection after the Festival.

TEA/COFFEE

Sunday 16th June | 10.30am-12.30pm

Rectory Garden, Goring High Street Ring Out The Bells

Have you ever heard church bells ringing and wondered how the bells are rung? Did you know you need one person to ring each bell? Come along and find out about the art of bell ringing with the Goring and Streatley ringers, experience the teamwork involved and maybe even have a go yourself!

Sunday 16th June | 1pm-3pm

Rectory Garden, Goring High Street (Goring Village Hall if wet)

Festival Picnic Concert

Join the Goring and Streatley Concert Band for an outdoor lunchtime concert in the picturesque setting of Rectory Garden. Bring a rug or seating and your own picnic to enjoy, whilst listening to the best of our local talent. Further details on our website.

Sponsored by McCARTHY & STONE

Sunday 16th June | 6.30pm-10.30pm

Streatley Farmhouse

GAP Festival Opera: The Marriage of Figaro

£50

£40

£30

Opera on your doorstep as GAP Festival Opera returns to the glorious setting of Streatley Farmhouse. Order a specially curated hamper or bring your own picnic and enjoy an evening of glorious music featuring singers drawn from the country’s finest opera houses in an exclusive production of Mozart’s best-loved comedy. A performance to delight opera aficionados and first-timers alike. Full details on our website. Additional performances are taking place on Friday 14th June and Saturday 15th June.

Our Sponsors+Supporters

THANK YOU! The GAP Festival would like to thank all the local businesses, organisations, individuals and Friends who have been so generous in supporting this year’s Festival. A big thank you also goes out to all the many volunteers who have worked so hard to make The GAP Festival happen. We couldn’t do it without you!

Jo & Charles

Green Gas Oxon Warmingham OrbAstro

GAP HR McCarthy & Stone

Thank you also to the generous support of all of this year’s Friends of the Festival. More details can be found on our website.

www.warmingham.com

Having celebrated successive record breaking years in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, we’ve done it again in 2023!

Bob