This year we are having a two-day Festival, starting on Friday July 12^th with the traditional laying of the Midsummer Cushions on John Clare’s grave, from 1pm.  The entire John Clare Primary School will be going to St. Botolph’s Church in class groups and everyone is invited to attend – parents, grandparents, carers, friends, siblings, anyone else living locally, and visitors.  It is always a happy occasion.  The Cushions’ ceremony will be followed by the awarding of prizes in the annual Poetry Competition, in the church.  All of the entries will be available to view inside the church over the weekend and for several days afterwards.  To end the day there will be a Choral Evensong in St. Botolph’s Church at 6pm and then a lively evening at the John Clare Cottage with local folk musicians from 7:30pm.  Please come along, everyone is welcome.  

On Saturday July 13^th, John Clare’s birthday, the John Clare Society’s AGM will take place in St. Botolph’s Church from 10am for about an hour. This will be followed at 11am by a fascinating talk by the Rector, Gary Alderson, on the Rev. Charles Mossop.

In the afternoon there will be lunches available in the village hall and at Clare Cottage, which will be also be open on that day for tours of the house and garden (entrance charges apply).  There will be many things to do and see in the afternoon, and to end the day a concert by The Black Smock Band who are coming all the way from Brighton to provide this year’s entertainment.  This will have an early start of 5pm so that anyone attending can travel on to their home, accommodation, or go out for an evening meal afterwards.

The whole weekend is free to attend and is open to members and non-members of the Society. Tickets for the Concert will be £8 each, 2 adults for £15, family tickets £13 (1 adult and up to 3 children) or £20 (2 adults and up to 3 children).

Concert tickets will be available from 1 June. To book a reserved seat please

• either email Sue Holgate – smholgate@outlook.com with your request and pay by BACS with your surname and ‘concert’ as a reference (preferred) – please see below for bank details.¹
• Or send a cheque payable to the John Clare Society together with your name to Sue Holgate, 9 The Chase, Ely, Cambs CB6 3DR.

Your tickets will be available to collect at the Welcome Tent or at the Church door before the concert.