11.00 am – Procession starts at United Reformed Church, Woodmansterne Lane, passing along the High Street to The Orchard in front of All Saints' Parish Church.

12 noon [approx] – Crowning of May Queen, Lydia Mills, in The Orchard. Maypole Dancing by pupils of St. Anne's RC Primary School and Country Dancing by Banstead Infant School. Barbecue, with stalls and sideshows. Proceeds this year will go to the Royal Marsden Hospital's Children's Unit.

Malcolm Singer, Director of Music, Ben Baker, violin, Aisha Syed, viola.

This orchestra of wonderful young string players has astonished and delighted us in several previous Festivals. Under the baton of Director of Music, Malcolm Singer, they make a welcome return to Banstead with a richly varied programme that includes Bartok's Divertimento for strings, Vaughan Williams' Concerto Accademico, and Noam Sheriff's Viola Concerto. Featured will be two exceptional stars of the future, violinist Ben Baker from New Zealand, and Aisha Syed from the Dominican Republic.

A circular walk skirting Park Downs and Banstead Woods

Leader: Paul Collins. Meet at grid ref TQ273584 – Car Park for Banstead Woods at junction of Holly Lane and Park Road. Duration: approx 3 hours.

Some parts of the walk could be muddy and may involve climbing stiles, so come prepared.

A Postcard from the Mountains or 'God Help Me Pass'.

An African adventure complete with vast Lesotho mountainscapes, blue Indian Oceanscapes and Cape Town Gardenscapes, peopled with extraordinary characters, and of course, the odd elephant, giraffe, rhino, lion, cheetah, penguin and whale.

Irish-born Sadhbh is in her final year of study at the Royal College of Music's Benjamin Britten International Opera School. She has performed as soloist in concerts in Ireland, France and the UK, and her operatic roles include Lisette La Rondine [British Youth Opera], Vixen The Cunning Little Vixen [RCM] Micaela Carmen [Blackheath Halls], and Adina L'Elisir d'Amore [Opera South]. New Zealander Kirsten Simpson graduated in performance piano at the University of Canterbury, and continued her studies at the Royal College of Music. She has performed at the Wigmore Hall, the Purcell Room and St. John's Smith Square, and has worked for four years on the Solti Accademia Di Bel Canto course in Italy.

The programme will include arias by Mozart and Richard Strauss, Musetta's Waltz Song from Puccini's La Boheme, and 'If I Loved You' from Carousel.

Wendy French and Les Robinson, Adjudicators

Sponsored by Banstead Coaches Limited

The results and readings of this year's Festival Society Schools Poetry Competition: prizewinners of each of three age groups between 5 and 18 will read their poems and receive book tokens generously donated by Banstead Coaches Limited.

We are delighted that Wendy French and Les Robinson will adjudicate the competition. Wendy works in a freelance capacity promoting the use of creative writing in schools and health care settings. She believes that both reading and writing help us to understand ourselves better and also the world we live in; writing is a habit that with careful teaching can be instilled in children of all ages and is a skill they will have for life. Les is Director of tall-lighthouse press, an independent poetry business which publishes poetry and facilitates organised and public writing classes for all ages and abilities. His own second collection, you say it's been good, was published last year, and later this year he will be a judge for the Poetry Society's Norman Hidden Prize.

The poetry produced by local students is always of a high standard – come and hear for yourselves!

Please note that parking at the school is limited; it would be appreciated if audience members leaving their cars in nearby streets would do so with consideration for the school's neighbours.

BAFS and participating schools are very grateful to Banstead Coaches Limited for covering all the expenses of this competition, and to Head Teacher Mr. Chris Donovan, staff and pupils of St. Anne's School for their generous hosting of this event.

St. Anne's RC Primary School, Court Road

Meet at 8.25 am outside Banstead Library in The Horseshoe, returning about 6.00 pm

On arrival we will be met by Winchester Tourist Guides, who will take us to the Cathedral Refectory for coffee, and then via a short walk through the Cathedral Close to Winchester College, founded in 1382, making it the oldest consistently running school in the country. Our tour takes us into the medieval heart of the College, including the Chamber Court, the 14th Century Gothic Chapel, College Hall, the original Scholars' dining room, and the medieval cloister.

Next comes a tour of the magnificent Cathedral, with its longest-anywhere Gothic nave, its Triforium Gallery set high above the South Transept with precious sculpture, woodwork and metalwork from 1,100 years of the Cathedral's history, and its ancient Library, including among its treasures the famous 12th Century 'Winchester Bible'.

After a lunch break we will return to the coach for the short drive to the Hospital of St. Cross and 'Almshouse of Noble Poverty', in its serene and picturesque setting by the Water Meadows. This is 'England's oldest and most perfect almshouse' [Simon Jenkins], famous for its unique and ancient tradition of the 'Wayfarer's Dole' – a drink of beer and some bread still given at the Porter's Gate to those who request it. Our tour is with one of the Brothers, who will show us the Norman Church, the Hospital, The Brethren's Hall, Georgian Kitchen, and Tudor ambulatory, before tea in the Hundred Men's Hall.

The cost will be £25.00 per person (Seniors 24.00) – this covers coach travel, admission to the Cathedral, Winchester College and the Hospital of St. Cross, tour guides' services, afternoon tea at St. Cross and the coach driver's gratuity. 

Please note that in the event of a cancellation by you we reserve the right to retain £4. If either of the outings is cancelled by us a full refund will be made.

An apploication form is on page 20 of the full brochure which can be downloaded here.

'Crystal Clear' - A musical appreciation of three famous English Auditoria

Adrian Falks presents a programme of music and performances associated with three National Events, spanning exactly 100 years, which led to the creation of three enduring and much-loved venues: Crystal Palace, Wembley Stadium and the Royal Festival Hall.

Victorian Narrative Painting. An illustrated talk by Peter Scott

Among the great variety of art which the Victorian age produced, nothing equals its interest in scenes of contemporary life, especially those which directly or indirectly tell a story. In modern times the importance of this type of art has been decried or neglected, with the statement 'typically Victorian'. The aim of this lecture is to help redress the balance and show why these paintings are worth studying. A focus will be on works which show the crowd as a character, as illustrated by the works of William Powell Frith, including his famous 'The Derby Day' and 'The Railway Station'.

Peter Scott is a Guide and Lecturer at Tate Britain and Tate Modern, a busy WEA tutor and a  lecturer at Dulwich Picture Gallery and for a variety of other organisations, including NADFAS, the National Trust and U3A.

Always a popular event, this concert is given by young performers up to 18 years of age from Banstead and nearby areas. All show outstanding ability on their chosen instruments. Margaret McFarlane, professional flautist and flute teacher, is the talent spotter, and her programme this year will include a clarinet quartet, a pianist, a female vocal ensemble and a percussionist. This event has been held annually since 1978 and many former participants have gone on to professional careers. It is a delight to see the great wealth of talent in each new generation of young musicians.

Surrey Wildlife Trust Festival Walk - Leader: John Peacock

Meet at grid ref TQ273584 – Car Park for Banstead Woods at junction of Holly Lane and Park Road Duration: approx 2 hours. Some parts of the walk could be muddy and may involve climbing stiles, so come prepared.

Chris Stanbury was born and brought up in Banstead and started playing keyboards at a young age. He was a pupil at the Beacon School and later obtained a Masters Degree in Music from the London College of Music, where he is currently Head of Jazz at the Junior College. He is also the choir master and musical director at St. Paul's Church, Nork.

Chris, our Vice-President, is one of the UK's leading electronic keyboard players, who is much in demand for concerts around the UK and Europe. He will play an exciting variety of music, which will include jazz, show tunes, big band music, popular music and light classics, something for everyone to enjoy.

Tickets £7, available from The Ibis Bookshop and Banstead Music Shop, or at the door

Bartholomew was born in Philadelphia and was a pupil at the Yehudi Menuhin School before winning a scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. His numerous prizes include the Guilhermina Suggia Gift, a Jellinek award and the Irish Chamber Orchestra's Ardan award. As a recitalist and chamber musician he has appeared at such venues as the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Bridgewater Hall, and has played as concerto soloist in Ireland and Germany.
Rosie also studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, winning its Romantic Piano Prize and going on to complete a post-graduate Diploma in Professional Accompaniment. Recent recitals last year included YCAT presentation concerts at Bridgewater Hall, Manchester and Du Pre Hall, Oxford. As a chamber musician she is particularly known for her work with cellists.

The programme includes Beethoven's Sonata in A major, Op. 69, Sibelius' 'Malincolia' and Stravinsky's 'Suite Italienne'.

'People in Pictures', in oils. A demonstration by Roger DellarRoger Dellar is a professional figurative artist who works in oils, pastels, mixed media, acrylics and water-based media. He is a member of many prestigious art societies, as well as demonstrating and teaching.

Gerald Pieti, Director of Music. Aleksander Szram, Accompanist.

Since 1945 the Metropolitan Police Male Voice Choir have been providing their own brand of musical entertainment in this country and abroad, on television, radio and in many varied venues.
Other than the Music Director and accompanist who are professional musicians, the choir comprises serving and retired members of the Metropolitan Police Service, all volunteers who make their contribution because of their common love of singing. They participate in the annual Metropolitan Police Carol Service and Annual Requiem Mass for deceased police officers.

Their programme will include such popular favourites as Bohemian Rhapsody, Schubert's Psalm 23, Alexander's Ragtime Band, the Soldiers' Chorus from Faust and 'There's a Coach Coming in' from Paint Your Wagon.

Personalities from the history of the Banstead area

Banstead and the surrounding area has been a home and, at times, a refuge for many people in ages past. It has also been a magnet for the not so scrupulous. Most of these personalities have been long forgotten except the famous and, curiously, the infamous.

The evening's illustrated talk will tell you about some of these personalities and the places where they lived and the grand houses that some of them built. Some of the famous personalities will include Hubert de Burgh, Sir Christopher Buckle, Lord and Lady Arden, Francis Baring, the Gartons, Daniel Lambert, Sir Henry Lambert, FAH Lambert, Helen Colman, Cosmo Bonsor, Lord Tedder, Val Randall and Geoff Pushman!

Rest assured there will also be a supporting cast of the infamous, such as Robert Sherborne and...for the rest, you'll have to come to find out!

Be prepared to enjoy a fast-moving experience. Who knows, you might just find yourself sitting next to a famous or not-so famous personality of the future!

There will be displays of historical material, a bookstall and a raffle

David Battie has appeared on the Antiques Roadshow since the first programme in 1979 and makes numerous other radio and television appearances. He lectures on a wide range of topics for NADFAS and many other societies. He trained as a graphic designer after Art School, joining Sotheby's in 1967 from which he retired as a director in 1999. He has written and edited many books on ceramics, porcelain and other fine arts subjects.

One of the great bands of Europe, Kolsimcha has captivated audiences at New York's Carnegie Hall and London's Queen Elizabeth Hall as well as those at the most renowned jazz, classical and world music festivals on three continents.

Hailed by the Los Angeles Times as the 'fantastic five', this incredible ensemble from Switzerland pairs a front-line of clarinet and flute with a super tight rhythm section of acoustic bass, drums and piano. The result is a ground-breaking mix of thrilling jazz improvisations, dazzling symphonic sounds and exotic Mediterranean melodies, alternating with poignant ballads and sensuous Eastern European rhythms. Their music has been described as everything from 'a new world music' [The Independent] to 'anatomically impossible' [Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung].

Leader: David Gradidge.

Meet at grid ref TQ258609, adjacent to CLOSED Car Park in Sutton Lane, Banstead – park cars in either Grange Gardens or Grange Meadow. Duration: approx 2 hours

Some parts of the walk could be muddy and may involve climbing stiles, so come prepared.

Readings and hymns reflecting with both humour and gentleness the place of faith in our society, as described by well-known writers – and maybe one or two lesser-known treasures.

Meet at 8.25 am outside Banstead Library in The Horseshoe, returning about 6.00 pm

On arrival we will be met by Winchester Tourist Guides, who will take us to the Cathedral Refectory for coffee, and then via a short walk through the Cathedral Close to Winchester College, founded in 1382, making it the oldest consistently running school in the country. Our tour takes us into the medieval heart of the College, including the Chamber Court, the 14th Century Gothic Chapel, College Hall, the original Scholars' dining room, and the medieval cloister.

Next comes a tour of the magnificent Cathedral, with its longest-anywhere Gothic nave, its Triforium Gallery set high above the South Transept with precious sculpture, woodwork and metalwork from 1,100 years of the Cathedral's history, and its ancient Library, including among its treasures the famous 12th Century 'Winchester Bible'.

After a lunch break we will return to the coach for the short drive to the Hospital of St. Cross and 'Almshouse of Noble Poverty', in its serene and picturesque setting by the Water Meadows. This is 'England's oldest and most perfect almshouse' [Simon Jenkins], famous for its unique and ancient tradition of the 'Wayfarer's Dole' – a drink of beer and some bread still given at the Porter's Gate to those who request it. Our tour is with one of the Brothers, who will show us the Norman Church, the Hospital, The Brethren's Hall, Georgian Kitchen, and Tudor ambulatory, before tea in the Hundred Men's Hall.

The cost will be £25.00 per person (Seniors 24.00) – this covers coach travel, admission to the Cathedral, Winchester College and the Hospital of St. Cross, tour guides' services, afternoon tea at St. Cross and the coach driver's gratuity. 

Please note that in the event of a cancellation by you we reserve the right to retain £4. If either of the outings is cancelled by us a full refund will be made.

An apploication form is on page 20 of the full brochure which can be downloaded here.