WINTERFEST

Four weekends of arts and music

WINTERFEST

Engaging the whole community

WINTERFEST

Banishing the winter blues
in Brightlingsea

Welcome to WinterFest

Since it began in 2015, WinterFest has been helping fight depression by raising spirits and developing a sense of community during the darkest time of the year. It’s a serious subject, but we have a lot of fun with a host of music, arts and other events taking place throughout February.

The festival has raised thousands of pounds for Mid & North Essex Mind, which offers support and advice to anyone suffering a mental health issue, and has helped to boost trade for local businesses too.

So far in 2018, WinterFest has raised:

Find out more

Welcome
to
WinterFest

Since it began in 2015, WinterFest has been helping fight depression by raising spirits and developing a sense of community during the darkest time of the year. It’s a serious subject, but we have a lot of fun with a host of music, arts and other events taking place throughout February.

The festival has raised thousands of pounds for Mid & North Essex Mind, which offers support and advice to anyone suffering a mental health issue, and has helped to boost trade for local businesses too.

WinterFest 2018 is going to be bigger than ever – we’ll see you in…

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Find out more

Our aims

To bring people of all ages and cultures in the community together to build community cohesion and resilience

To promote the arts as a contributing factor to better mental wellbeing and raise awareness of mental health issues

To showcase local talent, encourage more people to take up a new hobby and join the local clubs and music groups

To support local businesses, especially in the tourism and hospitality industry, helping to boost income

town

venues

+ events

how it all began…

In 2014, following the suicide of a well-known local musician after a long battle with depression, a group of his friends decided to hold a small concert in his memory. The event was designed to raise spirits and boost the town’s sense of community.

The first WinterFest took place in 2015 – a four-day music and arts festival run by volunteers at at different venues around Brightlingsea. It raised over £2,000 for Mind UK and has gone on to raise thousands more for Mid and North East Essex Mind, a self-funded subsidiary of Mind UK.

From those early beginnings, WinterFest has grown and in 2018 will feature events throughout February. There’ll be something for everyone to enjoy, and lots of opportunities to get involved.

Come along and banish the winter blues with us!

how it all began…

In 2014, following the suicide of a well-known local musician after a long battle with depression, a group of his friends decided to hold a small concert in his memory. The event was designed to raise spirits and boost the town’s sense of community.

The first WinterFest took place in 2015 – a four-day music and arts festival run by volunteers at at different venues around Brightlingsea. It raised over £2,000 for Mind UK and has gone on to raise thousands more for Mid and North East Essex Mind, a self-funded subsidiary of Mind UK.

From those early beginnings, WinterFest has grown and in 2018 will feature events throughout February. There’ll be something for everyone to enjoy, and lots of opportunities to get involved.

Come along and banish the winter blues with us!

WinterFest works…

WinterFest
Works…

Really enjoyed the coaster making,think we are now addicted!
Loved making a clay man on a wet Sunday afternoon in February
Thanks so much,this has been AMAZING!
Keep going. I think music is a good medium because it talks the language of happiness, and perhaps more so, sadness and mixed feelings. KEEP GOING!
We were surprised at how many people approached us with stories about how mental health has affected their loved-ones and, in turn, affected them
I have suffered with bi polar for many years and find socialising difficult. I wanted to support WinterFest but could not attend the other events because of my anxiety. But the dog walk was amazing and I met several new friends. As a result we set up the Brightlingsea Dog Walking club and this is still meeting every week, 18 months later.
I have been sober for 18 months and this is the first time I have played guitar in public. My first gig. I loved it and have since been playing in numerous venues. Winterfest gave me the stage and confidence to do this.
We had only just moved to Brightlingsea and my 19 year old daughter suffers from extreme anxiety and phobias. Getting involved with the WinterFest planning helped us to make new friends and my daughter both produced and exhibited artwork- something she had not been able to do for several years.

News and events

Arts & Craft Workshop Bookings

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If you'd like to attend any of the arts and crafts workshops that are taking place on Wellbeing Day, please remember that places are limited and you'll need to book. Email the workshops organiser, Nicky Sheales or call 07736 413532 for bookings and more...

So far in 2018, WinterFest has raised:

Our aims

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+ events

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