Bridge End Gardens in the heart of Saffron Walden was the perfect setting for the Arts and Music Picnic event organised by Saffron Walden Arts Trust last Saturday afternoon.
Over 400 people brought picnics and enjoyed a perfect summer’s day out, filled with live music from local bands – SWCHS Jazz Band, ‘Pure Sax’ Jazz Quartet, The Sheri Kershaw Band, Sara Ashley, Eva’s Dream, and The Scratch Band – all compered by MC Paul Wood.
There were fun activities for kids – graffiti workshops by Graff Workshops Ltd, storytelling from Harts Books, pottery from Freshwell Youth Arts ‘n’ Crafts, facepainting by Rosemary Wild, and the fabulous wooden animal creations from Andy Basham at Coppice Designs, who also supplied staves and wands to budding witches and wizards.
Local artists gave demonstrations – illustration from Helen Wiseman and Sarah Turpin, alongside jewellery making by Kim Gollard of Silverscents.
Spontaneous entertainment was provided throughout the day by the perfectly lovely ladies from HyperFusion Theatre Co, the extraordinary circus skills of Abi Cooper and Dave Stone, drumming by four members of the SWCHS Samba Band, and a wonderful performance by a Capoeira group – a Brazilian movement art form that combines elements of combat, dance, acrobatics and music.
Queues of people cooled off with Toni’s Ices, and refreshing drinks and sumptuous cakes by Fancy Cakes.
The raffle proved very popular, with prizes generously donated from local businesses including Audley End Concerts, Saffron Screen, Waitrose and Art@Home.
Saffron Walden Arts Trust would like to say a big thank you to all our hard working volunteers, especially to Deirdre and the Saffron Walden Town Explorers who put up and dismantled three marquees and numerous gazebos in record time – we couldn’t have done it without you!
