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 privte 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 brought together a group of people chaired by Richard Hyland 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. This time the team led by Neville Paul put on ‘The Galleywood Festival 2014 – Celebrating life in our Village’ as a series of events between 6th-13th July 2014 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 and 2018 saw the continuation of the successful 'themed week concept' (actually 10 days), with many of the people, clubs and associations from previous Festivals again involved, with the team led by Chairman - John Turkentine. For those who missed any of the most recent events see the Photo Album page.
The Committee, constituted as a small charity which does not own any buildings or employ people and does not intend to register with the Charity Commission.
2019 Festival Committee Members
John Turkentine (Chairman), Neville Paul (Treasurer), Ken Edwards (Secretary), Stephanie Troop,
Anthony McQuiggan
2019 Festival Supporters
Jean Blake, Janet Doghan, Daphne Field, Sue Kitson, Hugh Arnold
The Committee thanks Galleywood Heritage Centre, The Keene Hall, Galleywood Parish Council and Galleywood Historical Society and St Michael and All Angels for their support in either providing free meeting venues and/or events.
Sunday 2nd June to Sunday 9th June 2019
With separate events across the village and at St Michael and All Angels and the Galleywood Heritage Centre.
Watch the website for details of the events.
Volunteers are always welcome - email festival@galleywood.org