The festival celebrated its tenth year (2012-2022) on 3-5 September. The weekend was headlined by acts Martyn Ware (Human League/ Heaven 17, Tina Turner), Justin Robertson (Hacienda), Les Spaine (the Godfather of UK Funk) and Chris Coco (The Chill Out tent and various Ibiza clubs and festivals), festival founder Ben Osborne (Noise of Art) and regional acts such as Jupiter Ray, Pop Chorus, JS & The Lockerbillies, Latin Heat, Peter Hepworth and many more, in a trademark international meets local line-up.
As well as music, the festival featured its biggest ever arts and literary areas (with over 15 spoken word poets and arts activities and stalls), alongside it’s traditional environmental area (featuring Suffolk Wildlife, Forrest Schools, Transition Woodbridge, Rubbish Walks and more), a large kids zone and new Woodbridge Library reading area and Woodbridge Books pop-up book shop.
Following the weekend’s success, the festival has announced funding from Arts Council England and East Suffolk District Council to present its trail-blazing eco-minded Fish Friendly Fireworks projections onto the Tide Mill and a new, bigger community competition for entrants to have their artworks projected onto the Tide Mill.
The competition was announced during the festival in the park on 3 September and full details are being released next week (keep an eye on www.woodbridgefestvial.com and local press); with the involvement of arts clubs, schools, local institutions and pop-up workshops, such as Matisse at the Mill, being held to introduce artistic techniques and offer inspiration. The workshops and arts strand is being led by Woodbridge based professional artist Alice Stallard, who says: “It’s great to receive this funding so we can continue our work with participatory art and culture in the area.”
Woodbridge Festival co-founder Ben Osborne, says: “Woodbridge Festival was established to encourage more music and artistic creativity in the community, so it's exhilarating to see our artistic activity growing in this way. The environment has always been core to the festival and we're delighted by the enthusiastic response to our more eco alternative to traditional fireworks."
Locals of all ages will be invited to submit artworks for projection onto the Tide Mill during the annual Fish Friendly Firework display on Saturday 5 November.
Last year’s popular projections were enjoyed by large crowds at the Tide Mill, Boathouse Bar and Whisstocks Square by the River Deben.
