Wickham Festival News

Wickham Festival goes from strength to strength

The Wickham Festival is here to stay! The best event yet has been crowned by the announcement of a two-year deal to stay on the same site.

There had been fears that the hugely popular four-day fiesta might have to move following the death of landowner Tom Houghton last year.

However his son Stuart has signed a new agreement to allow the festival to remain until at least 2020.

The festival is renowned for being family-friendly

Organiser Peter Chegwyn said: “We are absolutely delighted to be staying where we are as this really is the perfect home for us.

“We were very saddened by Tom’s death on a personal level as he was a great friend to me and to the festival. We did worry briefly how it might affect us but his son has been hugely supportive.

“He attended all four days and, like the rest of the crowd, he fell in love with the unique family-friendly, relaxed atmosphere. He has seen we run a very good event, not with military precision but one the audience really likes. It just works.

“It is great to know we are here for at least two more years and hopefully many more as it is such a wonderful location for us and for the thousands who come here.

“It truly is the best of all worlds as this scenic setting feels right out in the countryside but the village is just five minutes walk away for people to stock up on provisions. It is great for local businesses and we are so grateful for their support and that of the parish council.

“It is a partnership which really works. And it is not just a financial thing. The people in the village really enjoy having us here. They like the people who come here. There is never any trouble and long may it continue.”

Wickham Festival was bathed in a glorious sunset

The announcement comes on the back of another hugely successful event which saw record crowds enjoy music from Squeeze, Steve Harley, Tom Robinson, the Undertones and many more.

Chegwyn added: “It has been our best yet – for many reasons. The wonderful sunshine clearly helped but we had some amazing artists and record attendances including many who were here for the first time.

“It was very heartening to hear how much they enjoyed the close-knit feel. Although we can accommodate up to 7,000 quite comfortably, it is a bit of a secret treasure and we are happy to keep it that way.

There is plenty of fun for children of all ages

“We don’t want to be another Glastonbury. We want to keep the family-friendly, chilled atmosphere which is the secret of our success. There is plenty for children to do and they can roam the site unattended while parents enjoy top-class food and drink, tour the many stalls or just listen to the excellent music.

“We have already had hundreds of people booking for next year, august 1-4. We don’t know who the bands will be though we do have a wish-list including a couple of international artists we are hopeful of securing. But fans do know that all the acts will be top quality and crucially the atmosphere, the attractions and now the location will be the same.”

 Credit: Jim Houlbrook/Alamy Live News

Four-day tickets will be £180 but those who book by the end of August can get an £80 discount via the booking forms being emailed out or £60 via this website.

Another golden day at the Wickham Festival

Chegwyn said: “It is our way of thanking our regulars who turn up year after year and who trust that we will give them what they want. We are very grateful for that.

“Tickets are just £100 if they book now which is incredible value for four days where there is so much top quality entertainment. And in keeping with our relaxed policy, we are not too fussy if people are a little slow to send in their booking forms.

“They may be away on holiday or have spent all their money on beer! As long as we get the payment by early September people will still get the full discount and many have already done so.”

Not the muddy start that welcomed you last year.

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    A touch of bluegrass!  The Thumping Tommys will make their Wickham Festival debut on Saturday 2nd August.  https://www.facebook.com/thethumpingtommys  Day & Weekend tickets now onsale via www.wickhamfestival.co.uk

    A touch of bluegrass! The Thumping Tommys will make their Wickham Festival debut on Saturday 2nd August. www.facebook.com/thethumpingtommys Day & Weekend tickets now onsale via www.wickhamfestival.co.uk ... See MoreSee Less

    5 days ago

    9 CommentsComment on Facebook

    I don't know the Thumping Tommys, but have just come out of a Hayseed Dixie gig and was blown away. If you could catch them on tour one year I think a Wickham audience would be too.

    Fantastic

    Would love to have Kiefer Sutherland back with his band. They were brilliant.

    View more comments

    Our Twitter Feed

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    Huzzah for @festivalwickham and Saturday 2nd August and another mighty HUZZAH for it is a particular favourite of ours, do thoroughly deserving of thrice Huzzah! http://Www.wickhamfestival.co.uk for tickets!! See you there. Is there time for one more Huzzah?

    We've updated the 'Line-Up' pages of our website to show who's playing (so far!) on which day. You can also view artist biogs & videos by clicking on artist photos.

    The wonderful singer-songwriter @NewtonFaulkner will make his #WickhamFestival debut on Friday, 1st Aug. Same day as @Fishy_Friends, @TaliskMusic, @FlookQuartet and many others.

    Another band confirmed! Legendary Geordie folk-rockers @lindisfarneband will headline the opening night of #WickhamFestival on Thursday 31 July.

    More artists confirmed! @IanProwse and Amsterdam will be at this year's #WickhamFestival on Sunday 3rd August. Ian toured with Elvis Costello last year and is touring with Levellers this Spring.