The Caught by the River Day Out is back for its fourth year. It takes place in the Downland village of Kingston just outside Lewes in Sussex with music, talks, film, beer and books spread across the parish hall, the 13th century church, village farm and pub – all within a few minutes’ walk of each other. There is no better way to enjoy the first bank holiday of the year. It always sells out quickly so don’t delay in bagging a ticket.
Poster: Frances Castle
This year we also are delighted to have some camping available for the first time. The line-up is …
In the Parish Hall
Dr Hope Wolf interviewed by Alex Leith
Dr Hope Wolf is the author of a new book Sussex Modernism that explores the work of 70 artists associated with the county. Well-known figures, including Vanessa Bell, David Jones and Lee Miller, are joined by countercultural artists of the 1960s–1980s, women artists whose power was regional rather than national. She will be interviewed by the editor of the Review of Sussex Arts magazine and Kingston resident Alex Leith.
Emma Warren
Emma writes about music and culture with a special emphasis on the communities that gather around these activities. She will be interviewed about her last book Dance You Way Home – a journey through dancefloors. It explored the reasons we dance together and what dancing tells us about ourselves, individually and collectively.
Jenny KilBride MBE interviewed by Mathew Clayton
Jenny KilBride trained as a weaver and dyer with her father Valentine KilBride. The family silk-weaving workshop was part of the Guild of St Joseph and St Dominic, a community of craftsmen founded in 1920 on Ditchling Common in Sussex. She will be talking about growing up in the Guild and reflecting on the role that handcrafted objects can play in the 21st century.
Tom Bolton interviewed by Justin Hopper
Tom Bolton is the author of Atomic Albion. The UK has 16 nuclear power stations. Are they relics of a past era, or a crucial part of our futures? Are they cathedrals of science or temples of doom? Atomic Albion recounts a journey taken by Tom round Britain’s nuclear power stations and the country itself, in the aftermath of Covid-19.
Justin is the author of The Old Weird Albion: a journey in the heart of the English South. He is an American living in England.
The Giant’s Totem is an installation around the parish hall by artist Kitty Taylor based on her folklore inspired zine of the same name.
Stella and Josie will once more be serving a selection of homemade cakes and tea and coffee. Andrew, Diva and Ben will be on the bookstall. We hope CBTR mascot Nettle will be in attendance.
MC for the day is CBTR’s very own John Andrews.
St Pancras Church
We are delighted to be bringing the Ambient Church “peaceful music for peaceful places” back to the festival and, without wanting to sound like a 90s rave flyer, are excited to have secured two 5k projectors that will be beaming films onto the ancient church walls to accompany the ambient music.
Our special guests are Clay Pipe Music, a record label renowned for its focus on atmospheric and evocative instrumental music. Founded by illustrator Frances Castle in 2011, it has been described by Shindig Magazine as “an entrancing record label built on a foundation of arcadian sounds and gorgeous graphic design.” The label has carved out a niche with its emphasis on high-quality, limited-edition releases, often featuring visually stunning artwork (Frances also designed this year’s poster). They will be providing a 60 minute mix and accompanying visuals.
Our resident artist is Danny Hammond and his Modern Medicine Productions who will be providing original live music and his usual mesmerising films of the countryside specially created for the festival. His unique musical bird box installations will also be dotted around the village.
Lovebrook Farm
The farm shop will be open all day selling bread, pastries, cheeses and veg – everything you need for a first-rate picnic. There will also be a bar serving soft and alcoholic drinks. And at lunchtime Hannah and Rich will once again be providing their amazing chilli and salad.
We have a new art exhibition on the farm. Unseen: In Search of the Sublime and Spirit of Place will take place in the milking shed featuring work by the Sussex based photographer Rachel Poulton.
For the first time, we can offer a limited number of camping spots for tents at Lovebrook. The grassy, car-free pitches are spread over a huge field with a composting loo, warm shower, and a sink with running water — there’s a firm back-to-basics vibe. You’re also very welcome to rustle up an off-ground fire or bbq. You can pre-order rental of a fire pit and buy logs from the farm. Email yazmin@lovebrook.org. Two night minimum, £15 pppn, max four to a pitch.
There are also spots available for a 90 min session in a wood-fired sauna with cold plunge pool starting at 10am. Afterwards tea and biscuits will be served as you enjoy the best view in Sussex. Tickets need to be bought separately from the main festival ticket. You can reserve your slot here.
We will end the day with a collective walk up to Sussex’s finest standing stone – The Gurdy Stone. Some entertainment at the stone will be provided.
Can’t wait to see you all. It starts at 11am and runs through until about 6pm. Tickets for the whole day including all the events are £30, with discounts available for Kingston residents (contact Mathew Clayton for the code) and Lunker-tier Caught by the River members (codes will be emailed to your inbox). Buy tickets here.
