About the festival
The beautiful island of Jersey suffered German Occupation during WWII. There are many moving stories of courage shown by the Islanders as families, friends and colleagues struggled to keep their identities safe. Pupils and staff of Victoria College, Jersey were evacuated to various schools on the mainland including Bedford School. Strong friendships have stood the test of time and in 1998, both Jersey and Bedford media covered the gift of chandeliers from Bedford School Chapel to Victoria College arranged by former pupils, Anthony Thorn and Brian Howard. Jersey author, historian and member of Victoria College Foundation, Peter Tabb, brings his outstanding research for his book, A PECULIAR OCCUPATION - NEW PERSPECTIVES ON HITLER’S CHANNEL ISLANDS to the Festival in Bedford with an illustrated talk and a new play DEAR CHANNEL ISLANDERS, commissioned in 2008 by Philip Le Brocq, Chair of Victoria College Foundation, and will be performed by Victoria College students at the Festival Gala opening weekend. A plaque hangs outside the Great Hall of Victoria College commemorating the greatly appreciated warm hospitality offered at such a challenging time. To this day annual cricket and rugby tours are still enjoyed. Similarly Bedford Modern School and Bedford Blues Rugby Club have shared such tours with Victoria College, St George’s Preparatory School, other Jersey schools and Jersey Rugby Football Club.
WHY NOT SPONSOR AN EVENT TO CELEBRATE A BIRTHDAY? ANNIVERSARY? EXAM SUCCESS?
The Festival is delighted to welcome 40 Jersey performers. Just over 66 events in 65 days! A ‘recession-blues-beater’ or what? Why not consider sponsoring or sharing sponsorship of an event in memory of a loved one, to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, exam success? What a novel and unique gift—and bringing joy to international communities—helping many tickets to cost just £5.
Further details on the Sponsor page and from the Festival Organiser: sandra@bedfordjerseyartsfestival.co.uk
The Festival commemorates the courage of Jersey and Bedford people in WWII by telling the stories through many arts disciplines and from different slants including . . .
an illustrated talk by historian, Stuart Antrobus, author of “We Wouldn’t Have Missed It for the World” - The Women’s Land Army in Bedfordshire 1939—45
Jersey’s Rod McLoughlin similarly extending a welcome to Jersey culture
Bedfordshire’s Marie Lloyd, Fiona Harrison will bring her outstanding musical expertise to a VE Cabaret and WWII authentic Supper Night at the White Horse
the 65th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings to be commemorated with celebrated Jersey and Bedford Choirs and a tribute to the 1940s music of the Kent beaches from a former King’s College scholar
World Premiere of EVACS by Joan Jenkins
World Premiere of WAR ON THE CUT, music and lyrics by Andy Collier
“70 YEARS OF JAZZ” celebrated by jazz veteran John Patrick with guest trumpeter, Digby Fairweather at The Ent Shed
The Festival programme printed by White Hart Press, Bedford sponsored by Autoglass
The Bedford Jersey Arts Festival was born of links in March 2008 between voluntary arts organisations on each side of the English Channel
Bedfordshire’s art’icle magazine Bedford UK, the magazine of the BEDFORD ARTS FORUM www.articlemagazinebedford.co.uk ~ www.bedfordartsforum.org.uk (in progress)
and Jersey’s ART IN FRAME—HARBOUR GALLERY, St AUBIN
www.mnlg.com/artinframe who both undertake similar support of the arts, both promoting amateur and professional artists of all disciplines with inspirational, innovative and educational events and projects complementing the work of acclaimed national and international ‘champions of the arts’
BEDFORD JERSEY ARTS FESTIVAL
a unique international arts showcase!
Bedford Jersey Arts festival
1 May – 5 July 2009 in Bedfordshire UK
Celebrating 70 years of friendship 1939—2009
“Victoria College, Jersey children evacuated to Bedford School during the Nazi Occupation of Jersey in WWII”
This website is an ongoing project started in late January 2009.