Festival time arrives in Aycliffe on Friday 14th July, in a seventeen-day programme of events and entertainment organised for the people of Aycliffe by the people of Aycliffe. Running until Sunday 30 July, the 2017 Aycliffe Festival is co-ordinated by and supported with grants and assistance from Great Aycliffe Town Council.
The events take place in a number of venues in Aycliffe and Aycliffe Village, with free entrance to many of them. One of the highlights will be the Party in the Park, which takes place in the Town Park on Burn Lane on the evening of 14th July and features the return of the Big BRASS Bash which is part of the Durham Brass Festival but brought to you and funded by Great Aycliffe Town Council – bring a picnic and enjoy the performances; for a quick preview, visit the Big BRASS Bus at Tesco on 9th July between 11am and 1pm.
The Festival has events for everyone to enjoy – including a Music Night at the Working Men’s Club featuring local band Ocean and a Social Evening with Betcha By Golly Wow at Aycliffe Village Hall. There will be lots of variety, with a Heritage Event at St Andrew’s Church and Community Fun Days at Agnew Community Centre, a Summer Fete at Rose Lodge Care Home, a Golf Competition and Flowers Forever at St Elizabeth’s Church. Parishioners are invited to meet the Mayor of Great Aycliffe for afternoon tea at the Council Offices, while the Oakleaf Sports Complex will be hosting a Cocktail Night – come along and join the mixology contest for the best cocktail.
If you prefer more of a challenge, try to solve the crime at the Murder Mystery Night. The majority of Festival events take place during the school summer holiday and there will be a number of free events for children of all ages to enjoy, including a STEM event at the Recreation Centre to show young children that Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths can be fun. From 12-16 July there will be a Funfair for all ages at Moore Lane Park (with charges for rides).
A programme detailing events, times, venues and 17 Days of Festival Fun for Great Aycliffe any charges will be provided to every primary school student and will also be available from the Library and Community Centres. Full details and tickets for events are available from the ‘Festival Shop’ in Beveridge Way from Saturday 8th July (10am – 3pm daily) as well as on Great Aycliffe Town Council’s Website www. great-aycliffe.gov.uk or you can phone 300700 to request a copy of the brochure.
