What began in 2006 as a weekend event, the Loughton Festival now runs from March until May and celebrates local talent along with cultural and literary heritage...

Loughton Festival!

What began in 2006 as a weekend event, the Loughton Festival now runs from March until May and celebrates local talent along with cultural and literary heritage. This year the festival will be raising money for Guide Dogs.

To keep you updated with events and performances throughout the festival, WEL brings you a three-part guide beginning with the programme for March.

MUSIC & PERFORMANCE

Saturday 19th March at 7.30pmEvent: The Loughton Youth Music Festival Venue: Loughton Methodist Church, 260 High Road, Loughton IG10 1RBTickets: 020 8502 3071 or 020 8504 8447Details: In the presence of iMMa (Erika Footman), Chairman of EFDC, and Loughton Town Mayor. Sixth form music schools from Loughton and its surrounding area will present an evening of first class music from classical to something a little more modern.

Thursday 24th, Friday 25th, Saturday 26th MarchEvent: The Six-Days World by Elizabeth KutiVenue: Lopping Hall, 189 Loughton High Road, IG10 4LFTickets: �8 Friday and Saturday and �7 Thursdays 020 8502 5843Details: A play performed by the Loughton Amateur Dramatic Society. Full details are on the website: www.lads.org.uk

Thursday 31st March at 7.30pmEvent: Two Comic Operas: Weather or No and Ages AgoVenue: St Johns Church, Church Lane, Loughton IG10 1PDTickets: �10 (�8), on the doorDetails: The Chapel End Savoy Players present a unique opportunity for you to see two one-act comic operas. Weather or No is by Bertram Luard-Selby with a libretto by Adrian Ross and William Beach and Ages Ago, a very clever play; libretto by WS Gilbert and music by Frederic Clay. This programme was previously performed at the Buxton International Gilbert & Sullivan festival. For more information about the Chapel End Savoy Players see: www.cesp.org.uk/index.html

Saturday 2nd April at 7.00pmEvent: The Churchfield Singers Venue: The Church of the Holy Innocents, High Beech, Loughton, Essex IG10 4ADTickets: �10, including a buffet meal and glass of wine. 020 8989 4975 (evenings) or on the doorDetails: The Churchfield Singers is a children's choir and this concert is in aid of Guide Dogs.

WALKSSunday 27th March 10.00am-12.30pm Event: The Forest Keepers WalkTickets: Free, but donations to Guide Dogs will be invitedDetails: Beverley-Jayne Smith will lead a walk from Theydon Bois Station to Loughton across undulating farmland and forest (please note some steep sections). Booking for this walk is essential on 020 8508 0028. A City of London event.

FAMILY & COMMUNITY EVENTSSunday 10th April, 11.00am - 3.00pmEvent: Lambourne End Centre Open DayVenue: Lambourne End Centre, Manor Road, Lambourne End, Essex, RM4 1NB Tickets: A free eventDetails: A fantastic day for all the family to meet our baby animals, have a ride on the pony and cart, and enjoy a fun day on the farm. Suitable for all ages, call 020 8500 3047 www.lambourne-end.org.uk