The Festival opened last Friday evening in grand style, when hundreds of people gathered on Angel Hill to see the traditional Beating Retreat ceremony performed by the Band of the RAF Regiment.

The event is sponsored by the Bury Free Press.

Then, almost 200 local schoolchildren joined junk funk percussion band Weapons of Sound on stage in the Abbey Gardens to perform with instruments created from recycled materials.

The free celebrations continued on Saturday, with three hours of fun, skill and mayhem from street theatre artists in the Abbey Gardens, while the borough council car-park on Angel Hill was transformed into The Urban Playground for displays of Parkour and Free-Running, followed by workshops to teach young people how to practice the street skills safely.

Nick Wells, Festival manager, said: "The Festival is a great opportunity to get out and see some superb live performances close to home."

To book tickets call 01284 757099 or visit the Festival website at www.buryfestival.co.uk where full listings can also be found.


MONDAY, MAY 19
Craig Schneider Trio. Corn Exchange, 1pm. £7.
Jo Brand and Andy Robinson. Theatre Royal, 7.30pm. £25, £20, £16.50, £12.50, £7. SO
Jacques Loussier Trio. St Edmunds-bury Cathedral, 7.30pm. £20, £17, £12, F.
Clive Paine. St Peter's Church, 7.30pm. £6. Flower festival May 16-19, 10am-7pm.

TUESDAY, MAY 20
Fontanella. Unitarian Meeting House, 1pm. £7, ends 2pm. SO
Richard Rodney Bennett and Claire Martin. Theatre Royal, 7.30pm. £18, £15, £8, F.
European Union Chamber Orchestra. St Edmundsbury Cathedral, 7.30pm. £23, £18, £12, F, half-price standby.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 21
Churchfitters. Corn Exchange, 1pm. £7, ends 2pm.
Organ Recital: Martin Baker. St Edmundsbury Cathedral, 7.30pm. £8, F.
Red Priest – Pirates of the Baroque. West Wing at Ickworth, 7.30pm. £16, F.
Jazz at the Angel. Angel Hotel Vaults, 7.30pm. Entry by table reservation for dinner.

THURSDAY, MAY 22
Victorian Picnic in the Park: Cookery Workshop. Ickworth House, 10am. £40, all ingredients provided, ends 4pm.
The Four Temperaments. Trinity Methodist Church, 1pm. £7, ends 2pm.
David Newton Trio. Cornhill Walk Shopping Centre, 8pm. £15, F.

FRIDAY, MAY 23
Alan Beechey's Bright Stars of Jazz. Corn Exchange, 1pm. £7, ends 2pm.
Book Tour. Ickworth House, 6.30pm. £12, booking essential.
Jazz at the Angel. Angel Hotel Vaults, 7.30pm. Entry by table reservation for dinner.
Jazz Jamaica – Tighten Up! Abbey Gardens, 8pm. £17, £9 under-12s (increases to £20 & £10 from May 9), F. Gates open 7pm.

SATURDAY, MAY 24
Magic of Abba and Bandit Beatles. Abbey Gardens, 8pm. £17, £9 under-12s (increases to £20 & £10 from May 9), F. Gates open 7pm.
Italianate Tour & Supper. Ickworth House, 7pm. £38, booking essential.

SUNDAY, MAY 25
Bury St Edmunds Flower and Continental Market. Buttermarket/Cornhill, 10am. Free event, ends 4pm.
Salute to the Rat Pack. Abbey Gardens, 8pm. £17, (increases to £20 & £10 from May 9), F. Gates open 7pm, fireworks finale, ends 10.15pm.
Walk: Bury in the Steps of the Tudors. Meet at the Tourist Information Centre, 10.30am. £7, includes coffee and a pastry. SO
Past and Present Tour. Ickworth House, 2pm. £12, booking essential.
Simon Amstell + Support. Theatre Royal, 7.30pm. £22.50, £18.50, £16.50, £12.50, £7. SO
l Box Office 01284 769505 www.theatreroyal.org, www.buryfestival.co.uk.
F = Festival Friend Special. Join the Festival Friends and save £2 on the cost of up to two tickets. Telephone 01284
757062 to join.
SO = sold out.