Over many years Galleywood, in common with many towns and villages, had an annual carnival, based around a procession of floats and procession of carnival queens followed by events on private land adjacent to The Common. As with many such celebrations, this reduced over some years and eventually died out and for many years there was no such annual celebration.
A survey of all residents undertaken as part of the Parish Plan in 2011 identified an annual celebratory event as something the village wanted and would support. Based on this, the Parish Council inspired a group of people to organise such an event in 2012. Based on a ‘Celebration of the Village’ as part of the Queen’s Jubilee Celebration and build up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, this took place on 2nd June 2012. There was a Jubilee Parade from Jubilee Park to The Common involving local schools, marching bands, dance troupes and sports participants who then took part in the Galleywood Common Event including fun sports, egg and spoon racing, Helicopter rides, classic cars and many other attractions. It was a great success.
2013 saw the village taking a ’rest year’ recognising the effort that had gone in to such a major event, but the festival returned in 2014 in an evolved form. ‘The Galleywood Festival 2014 – Celebrating life in our Village’ became a series of events including Open Gardens, guided walks on the Common, Bell ringing at the church, story telling, a 60’s Dance and Supper, Craft Fair and other events spread across several venues including St Michael’s Church, local schools, The Keene Hall and Galleywood Heritage Centre.
2015, 2016, 2017,2018 and 2019 saw the continuation of the successful 'themed week concept' (actually 10 days in some years), with many of the people, clubs and associations from previous Festivals again involved. For those who missed any of the most recent events see the Photo Album page.
The Committee, is constituted as a small charity which does not own any buildings or employ people and does not intend to register with the Charity Commission because of its small size.
2022 Festival Committee Members: Anthony McQuiggan (Chairman), Neville Paul (Treasurer), Janet Doghan (Secretary)
(If you can help then please contact the Committee)
The Committee thanks Galleywood Heritage Centre, The Keene Hall, and Galleywood Historical Society and St Michael and All Angels for their support in either providing free meeting venues and/or events.
Saturday 17th July to Sunday 25th July 2021
With separate virtual events across the village
Watch the website for details of the events.
Volunteers are always welcome - email festival@galleywood.org