A busy second weekend of the Sevenoaks Summer Festival
Published: 02 July 2025
The second weekend of Sevenoaks Summer Festival was even busier than the first. We lost count of the number of events we went to!
Saturday morning started with Sevenoaks Art Club’s exhibition of paintings on Vine Gardens railings. They were still setting up as we passed on the way to the main event, Sevenoaks Society’s Community Open Day at Stag. The Society itself set out what it does for heritage, footpaths and walking, architecture and design, and its input to town planning in Sevenoaks. Lord Sackville gave a fascinating opening talk on life at Knole House, and the challenges of living with the National Trust and hundreds of thousands of visitors. It’s not easy - but it’s worth it!
My contribution was a brief introduction to Sevenoaks Town Council’s Town Centre Masterplan, which the Sevenoaks Society has heralded us draft, and which we’re seeking feedback on. It follows on from the Neighbourhood Plan - approved in a public vote with 74% support in 2023. Now we need to set out detailed plans which can steer the development of the town centre, and tackle issues like traffic management to make our High Street and London Road more pleasant places to walk and shop. Please do add your ideas to all those who have commented by completing our survey here.
After that came an excellent talk by Katey Bell from Sevenoaks Climate Action Network on how to make your home more energy efficient - as well as cheaper to run. From the audience reaction it was clear that more people in Sevenoaks are investing in solar power and heat pumps, and it pays.
Back to the Vine to experience the extraordinary Colourscape installation - the chance to get lost in a labyrinth of brightly lit tunnels. They were hot too! And finally a quick review of children’s painting on the bandstand with Audrey Franks and Ray Russell.
Saturday evening saw the Central Band of the Royal British Legion perform at St Nicholas Church - with mayors attending from Kent, London and Sussex. A great mix of military and showbiz numbers, and a very appreciative audience.
Sunday saw the installation of a ‘crocheted pillar box top’ in Sevenoaks Market Place, themed with flowers and bees to match the theme of Sevenoaks in Bloom. It was made by Willow Loudon, who is 11 years old, and there's another one on the way.
Then on Sunday evening - after watching a bit of cricket on the Vine - we were at the Three Arts Festival concert at Walthamstow Hall. An amazing array of talent, reciting poetry, playing music and acting was on display, from competitors aged 6 to 70. This competition brings performers to Sevenoaks from miles away, but I think my favourite winners were the ensemble from Chiddingstone School with an evocative piece on the sounds of a village in the Laotian jungle.
Monday’s highlight at the Sackville Theatre was ’The Second Best Bed’ - a brilliant solo play about Shakespeare's widow Anne. It’s the performance to go to if you really want to find out who wrote all these plays and sonnets.
Take a look at the Sevenoaks Summer Festival programme here to see upcoming events.
Cllr Tony Clayton
Mayor of Sevenoaks