Tom had been involved with creating the St George’s Day concert, appropriately celebrated in the village church – St George’s – which has included opera singers, musicians and poets of note and has a Proms ‘last night feeling. These concerts have become a much-loved part of the Dittisham social calendar and have led to other performances being held in the church. Tom also hosted in 2021, between lockdowns, a recital in his beautiful garden which overlooks the village and became the inspiration for ‘music in the garden’ where folk bring their own picnic and rugs and enjoy a late summer evening with friends whilst enjoying live music.
At the same time, Peter and Georgina Grime had just met the leader of the newly formed, local Lyric Chamber Orchestra and had begun to have conversations with her about hosting their concerts in the church. When they met Tom inevitably the conversation turned to music and a discussion about expanding beyond classical music to include other genres – jazz, folk, rock and pop – and making a ‘weekend’ of music in the village. And so the music festival was born and the first one took place in 2023. Throughout the year Tom, Peter and Georgina scout locally for new and original bands to entertain the community and keep the festival fresh!
Our Venues:
The Lyric concert in St George’s is undoubtedly the ‘star’ of the festival as the medieval church with its generous aisles and seating for 140, has wonderful acoustics which amplify the performances of the orchestra and the soloists they support.
But the village also has a newly refurbished village hall with staging and lighting suitable for theatrical and musical performers. Last year it hosted the Dartmouth Rock Choir and this year it will be the venue for a fabulous flamenco evening with tapas.
Music in the garden on the Sunday afternoon will continue in Tom’s garden high above the village, weather permitting.
And not to forget the village pubs. Dittisham is blessed with two pubs, The Red Lion at the top of the village and the Ferry Boat Inn (FBI) by the river. Last year the FBI hosted the popular open mic event featuring local amateur and semi professional musicians and other performers who recited limericks and poems. This popular event will continue both in the FBI and on the beach outside.
Fund-raising:
Each year the festival hopes to raise £6000 for local charities and maintenance of the church and village hall. In 2025 we will be supporting:
- Landworks – Reducing Reoffending – Transforming Lives.
- Rowcroft Hospice – caring for around 2,500 patients and their loved ones across South Devon.
- St George’s Church, Dittisham
- The Village Hall, Dittisham.