Harmony Festival

We are grateful to David Kingman who submitted this story.

The festival took place over four days last week and was a resounding success with visitors marveling at what had been achieved inside the beautiful St Mary’s Church in Dorchester.

Harmony Festival

The event was run by Art at The Duchess, from the Duchess of Cornwall Inn in Queen Mother Square. It was being organized as part of Stampede by the Sea the fundraiser for Weldmar Hospicecare. The baby elephants made a lovely addition to the art side of the event, along with over 80 artists, sculptors and artisans. A floral demonstration was enjoyed by many visitors given by the floral designers of the festival Jo Richards and Helen Joyce principals of The Academy of Floristry, Bournemouth.

The High Sherrif Callum Bremner attended the opening morning of the festival and later in the week, along with his wife Jane, they enjoyed the evening concert featuring the Dorchester Rock Choir and Encore Singers.

Other musical artists were the West Dorset Singers and Broadoak Choir. The finale highlight was an organ concert by the dynamic young YouTube and TikTok sensation Matt Walters. Along with local pianist Louise Dukes a magnificent sound rang around the Church. The festival had the privilege and pleasure of having two Sky Arts Landscape Artist Winners on the final day. Ben McGregor 2025 winner painted a beautiful floral inspired piece of work and brought along another piece of work both of which will be auctioned at a later date for Weldmar. He was pleased to meet up with Finn Campbell-Notman a previous winner who David Kingman the Festival Director had managed to bring to Poundbury back in 2023.

It is hoped when final figures are produced a sum in excess of £2k will be raised for Weldmar.