An action-packed Cookham Festival ends after more than 50 events over two weeks

An action-packed two weeks at the Cookham Festival culminated with guests enjoying music from the Cantorum Choir on Sunday evening.

The biennial Cookham Festival ran from Saturday, May 4 to Sunday, May 19 and saw many flock to the village to enjoy more than 50 events celebrating nature, creativity and art.

Visitors enjoyed an array of events spanning art workshops, music, spoken word, dance and comedy and got to hear the life stories of celebrities including actor, TV presenter and author Ross Kemp and TV presenter Lorraine Kelly.

While in conversation with musician Rob Castell, Ross Kemp shared stories of his life and career on Saturday, May 4.

Meanwhile, long-established TV host Lorraine Kelly sat down with journalist Katie Breathwick on Wednesday, May 8 for a Q&A and to discuss a range of topics, including her latest book The Island Swimmer and her Bafta Special Award.

Maidenhead and Cookham MP Theresa May was also in conversation with Lord Young at the Sir Bernard Miller Centre at The Odney Club earlier in the festival to discuss her life and recent book The Abuse of Power.

On Saturday, guests saw the return of Formosa Fest which celebrated local talent with a host of performances, food and a bar.

Crowds danced the night away as local bands Offbeat, Formosa Frenzy, Country Chicks, Bodkin Lane, Matt Bond & The Poor Boys and Thousand Yard Stare took to the stage.

Solo artists Tina Oldham and Sean Pow also performed for audiences.

On Sunday afternoon, it was the turn of youngsters in Cookham to entertain guests at the Oveys Farm Family Concert organised by Renee Cullen.

Simon Windsor, who is responsible for marketing at the Cookham Festival said: “The 2024 Cookham Festival ended on Sunday evening with a packed Holy Trinity Church being blown away by the Cantorum Choir.

“It was a fitting end to what has been a simply fantastic fortnight with over 50 events, many sold out."

A Sculpture Garden and exhibition of paintings and prints was also open throughout the festival at The Odney Club and there were also many musical highlights including The Walnuts at Holy Trinity Church and a quartet featuring Vasilis Xenopoulos and Paul Edis at Pinder Hall.

During the festival, Sir Nicholas Winton’s son Nick Winton spoke of his remarkable father and the One Life Film.

Almost 100 youngsters also attended a games workshop to enjoy an array of games and virtual reality experiences.

Simon added: “The festival committee would like to thank everyone who took part, got creative, danced, sang, came to the talks and made the festival such a huge success.”

"It's great to see so many people enjoying themselves at the festival.

“Cookham is such a wonderful community and the support we get from everyone makes the months of planning so worthwhile.

“Particular highlights for me that I will never forget include meeting Lorraine Kelly, howling with laughter at all the Comedy Night acts, being swept away by the Stars Of The West End singers, and discovering I actually really enjoy jazz, thanks to the incredible Vasilis Xenopoulos / Paul Edis Quartet.”