The colourful flags and street banners have been taken down and put away for another year but the fond memories of Festival 2011 linger on ……..

A veritable feast of entertainment was to be found at 35 venues in and around the town and further afield at Chartwell, Chevening, Chiddingstone, Hever, Ightham, Penshurst and Shoreham – all ages and tastes were catered for in a programme comprising exhibitions, comedy, dance and drama, along with blues, rock, classical, folk, jazz and light music, a major musical, open days, talks and walks - full details are in the brochure which can still be viewed on our website.

A resounding Finalé Concert presented by Claire Martin and Richard Rodney Bennett at Sevenoaks School’s prestigious Pamoja Hall brought the programme to a close on Sunday 3 July and the winners of this year’s Treasure Hunt and Grand Prize Draw were revealed.

Earlier in the day, Louise Jameson captivated the audience at Stag’s Plaza Suite with her two one-woman plays, “Shakespeare’s Mistress” and “Pulling Faces”, while elsewhere on Sunday appreciative Festival-goers enjoyed RLSB’s Family Fun Day at Dorton House, Oxted Band on the Vine Bandstand and an outdoor Barn Dance with Barbecue at St Julians Club.

All in all, the day provided a fitting climax to two weeks of high-quality offerings from local arts groups, complemented by keynote celebrity concerts, which also included a trip down the memory lane of pop music with The Manfreds, Spanish guitar from Eduardo Niebla, brilliant solo piano from Gwilym Simcock, New Orleans jazz from The Big Chris Barber Band, folk music from the Demon Barber Roadshow and inventive comedy from Russell Kane.

With thanks to all our Sponsors, Participants, Patrons, Members and Friends who helped us make Festival 2011 the success it undoubtedly was, we’ll take a short break now before turning our attention to Festival 2012, set to run from 23 June to 8 July. Your programme suggestions and offers of help are welcomed – send to ray.russell@sevenoaksfestival.org.uk