Count Down

The Buxton Festival and Buxton Festival Fringe 2008 kick-off on Wednesday July 9th. Over a period of 19 days there will be hundreds of performances, displays, exhibitions and talks in Buxton and the surrounding towns (Tideswell, Crowdecote and New Mills to name just three). Trying to keep up with everything will be exhausting but we'll be doing our best to keep you posted from now on.

If you haven't got a Fringe programme yet then get down to the Opera House, the Tourist Information Centre (now located in the Pavilion Gardens) or the Library (leaflets and stuff are now unhelpfully tucked away in a corner - if you can't find them please ask the staff and then fill in a customer complaint form!)

11 Fringe events open on day 1 - including a feast of art. The weather forecast for Wednesday isn't encouraging so the town Museum would be an obvious stopping-off point - two exhibitions there. The Place offers good food and Sue Mortin's paintings. If you have an umbrella the Well-Dressing Committee is leading a walk around town. They won't take you as far as Brierlow Bar (2 miles south on the Ashbourne Road) where there is an excellent bookshop and photography exhibition.

For the evening find yourself a spot in Underground Venues for their launch event or check-out Nice Venue's opening show (a satirical lecture on Courtship) or be at the Grove Hotel for The Story of Jam (neither Paul Weller nor conserves we think). That's only part of Day 1!

The Fringe Information desk will be open for action on Tuesday afternoon (inside the entrance to the Conservatory by the Opera House) - get leaflets, read reviews, buy T-shirts and caps - meet our charming team ably lead by George.


by Keith Savage - Published 06/07/2008