Culture

Burton Bradstock is set to celebrate its 40th Music and Arts Festival this summer. An initial spring concert on Friday, May 20, including music by a Ukrainian composer, will see the return of the popular festival, which was last held in 2019. Artistic director David Juritz has put together a special programme of music including work by Ukrainian Valentin Silvestrov, in honour of his countrymen and women who are suffering during the war with Russia. During the main three-day festival in August audiences will hear the string quartet by the “father of Ukrainian music”, Mykola Lysenko. This year’s festival will be particularly poignant as its founder, distinguished flautist Mary Ryan, died in April. The spring concert will see David, violin, joined by Anna Hashimoto, clarinet, and David Gordon, piano. The main festival takes place from August 17-19 and the art festival will run in the Village Hall from August 16-21. Chairman Jenny Malyon said: “What a delight to be able to say that we are going to go ahead with the 40th Burton Bradstock Festival of Music and Art. “The fact we have had a delay just whets our appetite for the joy of hosting again in our village, the prestigious musicians who come to entertain us. As with everything worth waiting for, perhaps the enforced and rather long interval will make us all the more appreciate the second half! “For the spring concert David Juritz has put a programme together for us that I know we will all enjoy and we will be meeting old friends who always come to listen to the music, both familiar and less so, to revitalise us all after a very difficult couple of years.” David Juritz said: “I will remember festival founder Mary Ryan with enormous affection. Working with her was always a delight with every rehearsal punctuated by her anecdotes and wry observations. My gratitude for the legacy of concerts she leaves is shared by everyone that remembers her.” The spring concert starts at 7.30pm in St Mary’s Church in Burton Bradstock and there will be a bar in the interval run on a donation basis. Tickets are £12/£8/£6 and can be bought through the Bridport TIC. n burtonbradstock festival.com

FESTIVAL DATES: Clarinettist Anna Hashimoto and pianist David Gordon

Ukraine music to launch village’s 40th arts festival

n Founder Mary Ryan, who died in April 2022, spent much of her childhood in Burton Bradstock. After studies at the Royal College of Music on an open scholarship she was appointed principal flute of the BBC Northern Orchestra in Manchester. She played concertos with both the BBC Northern and the BBC Scottish orchestras. On her return to London she co-founded the ground-breaking all-female wind group, the Portia Wind Ensemble. Working with composers such as Richard Rodney Bennett and Sir Harrison Birtwistle the Portia commissioned many new works which they premiered on the BBC. Throughout a busy career Mary retained her links with Burton Bradstock and, in 1981, she and her husband, Ronald Gillham, organised the first Burton Bradstock Festival. A combination of hospitality and excellent music soon attracted leading musicians to the village and began a tradition that is still thriving.

The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022 47 Culture It’s a date: Swipe right for Tory’s relationships novel

A West Dorset writer has released her first novel –and it’s already being considered for adaptation by Netflix. Tory Henwood Hoen has written about the trials and tribulations of the dating scene in The Arc. She comes from a writing family – her aunt, Toller Porcorum’s Sue Wreford, wrote for The Sporting Life and her uncle Robert Henwood, who lived in West Compton for many years, was European correspondent of The Blood Horse. Tory said: “When I became single at 35, I decided to try dating apps for the first time. Before long, I was asking myself: How can this be the cutting edge of modern dating?! I was totally underwhelmed by the experience. I knew I wasn’t alone. Dating fatigue is real, and so many of us have wished, at one time or another, that we could outsource the search for the perfect partner. “That’s how I dreamed up The Arc: a highly-secretive “relationship architecture” service that uses complex emotional, psychological, and physiological assessments to help its clients find their ideal mates. The best part? No swiping necessary.” Tory says she was influenced by her favourite rom-coms and classic love stories; but she also took cues from the worlds of sci-fi and psychological thrillers. Find Tory on Instagram (@toryhenwoodhoen) or go to toryhenwood hoen.com.

DEBUT NOVEL: Tory Henwood Hoen

Travellers’ tales for town’s litfest

Two intrepid travellers launch Bridport Literary Festival’s 18th year with a special talk on Thursday, May 19 at the Bull Hotel ballroom. Barnaby Rogerson and Jason Goodwin both publish and write about their adventures. Rogerson is director of travel publisher Eland, and Goodwin is the author of a series of detective thrillers set in 19th century Istanbul. Festival director Tanya Bruce-Lockhart said: “Having been confined through covid for so long, this is just what we all need, to be enchanted by exciting tales of faraway places.” Barnaby Rogerson’s talk, Celebrating the World, at 2.30pm focuses on people, places and different ways of living. It’s the 40th anniversary of Eland Publishing, one of the few remaining idiosyncratic small publishing houses. Perched high in a third floor attic above a busy street market in the East End of London, Eland specialises in travel writing. Always in competition with the big players – Penguin, Picador and Virago – Eland has been able to quarry the best titles from these old rivals. To celebrate this impressive anniversary, Barnaby will examine some of the lives of Eland’s charismatic travel writers: Gavin Maxwell, Dervla Murphy, Norman Lewis, Martha Gelhorn, Nicholas Bouvier, Winston Churchill and Peter Mayne. Jason Goodwin’s Lords of the Horizons is a history of the Ottoman Empire, a book inspired long ago by a walk that he and his now wife Kate made from Gdansk to Istanbul to explore the borderlands of Europe. Some years later, Jason embarked upon a series of historical detective thrillers, featuring the eunuch Yashim, set in the 1830s. The first book in the series, The Janissary Tree, won the coveted Edgar Allen Poe Award for best novel. It was followed by four more enthralling adventures and a cookery book, Yashim Cooks Istanbul. Jason continues to explore all corners of the world but always returns to Dorset. His BridLit talk is at 4.30pm. Tickets cost £25 and £20 for Friends of Bridport Literary Festival. Tickets are available from Bridport Tourist Office in South Street, Bridport, either in person or by calling 01308 424901. The 18th Bridport Literary Festival 2022 is scheduled for Sunday, November 6 Saturday, November 12. n bridlit.com

TRAVEL SOFA: Barnaby Rogerson with travel legends Don McCullin and William Dalrymple and Lady McCullin

It’s Up to You to come along & see

By Jane Norman

newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Poundbury’s newly refurbished community space at Jubilee Hall is the perfect central location to host Art In Poundbury’s very own Dorset Art Weeks collective exhibition and art trail, opening on Saturday, May 14. Titled It’s Up to Us, the exhibition is being led by Casterbridge Art Society, which has created the umbrella group of Art In Poundbury, inviting fellow creatives from Artwey, Dorchester Camera Club and 3Cs Calligraphy to take part, along with new and established artists, sculptors, photographers, textile artists, calligraphers, stone masons and jewellers - all of whom are based in this part of Dorset. Pupils from Damers First School are also taking part, with Year 3 pupils having been busy working with ceramic storyteller, Katie Netley. Inspiration for their work, and the exhibition’s title, has come from the book of the same name by Christopher Lloyd and 33 award-winning artists from around the world. It is a beautiful yet thought provoking manifesto ‘calling on young and old to help restore the harmony of Nature, People and Planet’. Keeping within that theme, Art In Poundbury has planned an exciting and thoughtprovoking show. Alongside traditional oils on canvas, photography and ceramics, you’ll find beach-combed art to innovative glasswork, a life-sized chimpanzee (yes, really!) to intricate chicken wire creations. Something for everyone to explore and enjoy - and perhaps even buy. Long-standing artists and Poundbury residents have been invited to cut the ribbon, officially opening the show at 10am on Saturday, May 14 at Jubilee Hall – where refreshments will also be served to the first 100 visitors. So, don’t miss it! “Putting on a professionally hung exhibition of this size is a big challenge, and would not be possible without a fantastic band of local volunteers and businesses,” said exhibition lead Judy Tate. “Thank you for all your energy and enthusiasm.” n It’s Up To Us runs from Saturday, May 14 to Wednesday, June 1. Open daily, 10am - 4pm. Free entry. n artinpoundbury.co.uk

EXHIBITION: Sam Rich, Judy Tate, Colin Anderson and below, Jackie and John Walker and, right, Lisa Smith

Watercolours created using masking tape and traditional buttons will be among the artworks on display for this year’s Dorset Art Weeks fortnight. More than 250 artists will showcase their creations throughout the county from May 14 to 29 as part of the 30th annual art weeks event. Among the artwork on display will be a collection of monochromatic photography by Alison Webber called Through An Aspergic Lens at 27 Monmouth Road, Dorchester. John Meaker will showcase his life paintings, portraits and ‘spontaneous graffiti’ inspired by Greek myths at Abbotsbury Studio in Rodden Row, Abbotsbury. Artist Anna McDowell has created traditional buttons with ‘a contemporary twist’ using sari silks and yarns from India and will put her work on display in Donhead St Mary near Shaftesbury while painter and lithographer Göran Hahne will display his work in Blandford. A spokesperson for the art weeks said: “Dorset Art Weeks provides local people and visitors an opportunity to make the most of Dorset’s towns, villages and landscapes, and to discover the range of creative talent across the county. “Traditional Dorset buttons with a contemporary twist are amongst the art exhibited for this year’s Dorset Art Weeks. Watercolours created using masking tape, and photography expressing the artist’s identity also feature. “Artists across the county are putting the final touches to their work before opening their doors to visitors.” For a full list of the 250 displays taking place throughout Dorset visit dorsetartweeks.co.uk to use their interactive county map and listings guide.

INSPIRED: John Meakers’ Melancholy Angel, and, right, ST George will on display at Abootsbury Studio during the DAW fortnight Artists’ works showcased during Dorset Art Weeks

Museum gearing up for busy summer season

Beaminster Museum is now open for the summer season and looks forward to welcoming you to see the newly extended premises. There’s more to see, hear and do for all ages than ever before. There’s a photo exhibition entitled Beaminster in Covid Times, which was compiled in conjunction with Beaminster School, the town council and many others, showing photographs and poems of the community response to covid. It runs throughout the summer. You can also explore why an 18th century Arctic explorer is pulling his sledge upstairs, why there were elephants in the middle of Broadwindsor and similar fascinating facts about this delightful part of Dorset. Open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Bank Holidays 10.30am-4pm, and Sundays 2pm to 4.30pm. Free entry.

50 The West Dorset Magazine, May 6, 2022 Culture Honeybourne date with Beethoven at St Mary’s

Dorset-born international pianist Duncan Honeybourne will be performing Beethoven’s second piano concerto with the Dorset Chamber Orchestra on May 14 at St Mary’s Church, Edward Rd, Dorchester at 7.30pm. Commended by International Piano magazine for his “glittering performances”, Duncan has toured extensively as soloist and chamber musician, broadcasting frequently on BBC Radio 3 and radio networks worldwide. His many recordings reflect his long association with 20th and 21st century British piano music. He is a Tutor in Piano at the University of Southampton and Sherborne School. The concert programme includes one of Mozart’s best loved symphonies, No 40, and the folksonginspired Elegie by Swedish composer Hugo Alfven. Dorset Chamber Orchestra’s Music Director, Walter Brewster said: “The past two years have presented many challenges for music groups, but the appetite for live music is stronger than ever. This will be our fourth concert of the season and it is a joy to welcome Duncan back to perform again with us.” Tickets are on sale now at dorsetchamberorchestra. org/tickets priced £15, under-19 £1.

CONCERT: Duncan Honeybourne

Wisconsin Willy’s wending his way

American singersongwriter Willy Porter from Wisconsin is bringing his searing signature guitar sound back to Dorset after a gap of three years. Willy’s musical style blurs the line between indie-folk, Americana and rock, with a touch of blues thrown in for good measure. He has performed alongside musical icons including Jeff Beck, Paul Simon and Tori Amos, who was once quoted as saying: “Willy plays rhythms that make me want to crawl inside his guitar and sleep there forever!” Ahead of his return to Dorset, Willy said: “I consider myself very lucky to be among the tribe of misfits that gets to come to the UK every year. Like a well-behaved dog, my guitar somehow puts up with me.” Willy will be performing at Broadmayne village hall in Cowleaze Road on Thursday, May 26 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £15 from wegottickets.com or from Cornerhouse Stores, Main Street, Broadmayne. You can also buy tickets from Tim Clayton by calling 07443 659912 or visiting willyporter.com

BROADMAYNE GIG: Willy Porter

New Elizbethans on song for concert of uplifting music

The New Elizabethan Singers and The Broadoak Choir St Mary’s Church, Bridport

REVIEW by ALAN HOBBY

St Mary’s was packed with a capacity audience keen to hear The New Elizabethan Singers and The Broadoak Choir combined to perform two choral pieces written by local composers. Matt Kingston (pen-name Matthew Coleridge) has directed the NES since 2011. His Requiem integrates broad, lush vocal harmonies with exhilarating organ, string and percussion accompaniments and solo passages. “It was inspired,” Matt says, “by the joy of the arrival of my first child and the beauty of the Dorset countryside.” His Requiem premiered in 2015 and has received numerous, acclaimed performances in the UK, the US and Europe. Details of future performances of the piece can be found on matthewcoleridge.com NES bass Chris Reynolds has lived and worked in the area for 30 years. With roots in folk and jazz, he has also written several liturgical pieces for the small, a cappella Broadoak Choir. His 2019 choral cantata Three Trees, is a mystical, moving meditation on crucifixion and redemption; it reflects on the mystery and magic of real trees and the beauty of creation; and how close humankind is to destroying it. The audience were delighted and the church echoed with resounding applause for both pieces. It was a concert of wonderfully uplifting music, grown organically in the Marshwood Vale and composed and performed by Dorset talent.

By Dan Goater

newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

The winners of the inaugural Bridport Prize Black Writer residencies found fresh inspiration on a behind the scenes tour of Dorset Museum. Grace PetersClarke and Stephenjohn Holgate, both from Birmingham, recently visited the museum in Dorchester during the first of two residencies, with the second one happening in June. The up-and-coming writers’ work is being championed by Kit de Waal, best-selling author of My Name Is Leon and former two times winner of the Bridport Prize international writing competition. Grace Peters-Clarke, who grew up in the Caribbean and now teaches English at a Birmingham secondary school, said: “It was fascinating to experience a museum through the lens of those who work behind the scenes and to see firsthand the vast collection of artefacts that are painstakingly archived. I was inspired by Hardy’s Dorset gallery and the Elisabeth Frink collection, that writing is often bred by landscapes, artefacts, the cultures of the spaces in which it is created.” Stephenjohn Holgate, a lecturer from the West Midlands who was born in Jamaica, said: “The coast was always an important part of my life as a child. It is one of the things I miss the most. I want to explore the Jurassic coast more and see what ideas that geography would inspire. It was exciting to go backstage at the museum to see what was not on display, the drawers of beautiful birds were fascinating. The thought of just going to the museum meant I managed to scribble out a short story. “It was inspiring.” Kit de Waal, who is now one of the Bridport Prize judges and has been mentoring Grace and Stephenjohn, said: “I’m delighted to be part of the Black Writer Residency. “Too often we are thought of as only urban writers, concerned with inner cities and housing estates, but here is the chance for two unpublished writers to experience Hardy country and enjoy writing in a rural environment. It’s a wonderful opportunity.” A Bridport Prize spokesperson said: “The museum’s interim director Elizabeth Selby gave Grace and Stephenjohn the opportunity to explore behind the scenes of the new Collections Discovery Centre, where a large proportion of the museum’s treasure trove of four million objects are stored.” Elizabeth Selby of the museum said: “We’re thrilled that Grace and Stephenjohn joined us as writers in residence this April and will be again in June. We’re excited to see how the two writers will take inspiration from the museum, our collections and the wider experience of spending a week in Dorset. We can’t wait to how this experience shapes their writing during and after their visit.” An adaptation of Kit de Waal’s best-selling novel My Name Is Leon is coming to BBC One soon and will feature Sir Lenny Henry, Christopher Eccleston, Shobna Gulati and Cole Martin in his first TV role.

MUSEUM VISIT: Kate Wilson, Bridport Prize Programme Manager; Mick Smith, director of Bridport Arts Centre, Stephenjohn Holgate, Elizabeth Selby, Interim Director Dorset Museum, Grace Peters-Clarke

JUDGE: Author Kit de Waal