Arts

Popularly known as HADCAF this festival takes place annually in July. The aims of this hugely enjoyable, not-for-profit Festival are to encourage, promote and celebrate the talents, expertise and skills – both amateur and professional - that flourish within our community. In addition to providing a platform for local individuals, societies and organisations, the Festival brings to the community performances of music and theatre that would otherwise not be available in the locality.

The Festival seeks to include something for all ages, tastes and interests, with as much as possible offered free of charge or at minimal cost.

The programme encompasses a wide range of arts- and leisure-related events and attractions: the performing arts, visual arts, music of all kinds, literature and poetry, film, exhibitions, talks, craft and dance workshops, local history, antiques, horticulture, conservation and wildlife, guided walks, plus gardens and artists’ studios to visit.

The Festival also has an important social aspect, offering opportunities for meeting people, sharing interests and making friends.

Jenny Strong and John Miles of John O’Gaunt School together with the late Ivy Wells, a former mayor of Hungerford, initiated HADCAF in July 1992 with a week-long programme of craft workshops and entertainment, mainly centred in the school.

The following year Festival events spread into other venues around the town and in Lambourn and Kintbury. By 1999 the Festival had expanded to its present duration of a little over 3 weeks, and has been so successful that containing it is quite a problem!

Funded by grants and donations from Hungerford Town Council, The Trustees of the Town and Manor of Hungerford, West Berks Council, Greenham Common Trust, and latterly by sponsorship from local businesses including a major donation from ADP Dealer Services Ltd (formerly Kerridge of Hungerford), the Festival is organised by a small team of volunteers chaired by Mrs Beryl Fowler. Offers of help are always welcome, as are suggestions for the programme. To contact us email info@hadcaf.co.uk or telephone 01488 684901/683719. Please visit our website for regularly up-dated information: www.hadcaf.co.uk.

The Community of Hungerford Theatre Company exists to excel in the presentation of amateur theatrical productions and the performing arts. Formed in  late 1979, from an idea of John Miles and the late Don Bolton, as the “Town Show”, it’s first performance was in 1980 and it has since grown way beyond the aspirations of it’s founders and now encompasses five groups of performers, directors and staging crew with an age range from 5 years to 60+ years.

Further information available from their website at www.hungerfordtheatrecompany.co.uk or on the leisure page.

Also see the What's On section for current events and additional links