Buckinghamshire residents celebrated a long weekend of creativity, culture and stories as part of an Open Weekend co-ordinated by Buckinghamshire Culture in partnership with Buckinghamshire Council.

Over 70 events of all kinds, both online and face to face took place across the county, from Stowe to Marlow.

Activities included literary and heritage walks, performances, Open Days, trails, concerts, film screenings, exhibitions and story-telling events.

There were even opportunities to undertake creative activities at home.

There was a great turnout for events across the Open Weekend and participants had some great feedback for those who hosted events and activities, highlighting the fact that the event not only brought people together but encouraged connections in the local community, sharing stories and creativity.

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Events organisers have reported that they were pleased to be part of such a diverse, county-wide programme.

One participant in the Big Picture events in Chesham said: “It’s really great to see events like these happening around Chesham.

“I’d love to be involved with the art community here but haven’t really known how.

“It was a nice surprise to see the leaflet on the high street for life drawing, this is the sort of stuff I have been searching for locally.

"I am keen to see more of them happening.”

Julius Weinberg, Buckinghamshire Culture Co-Chair said: “We are extremely pleased to have been able to include over 70 events in the first ever Open Weekend.

“This shows what a creative county we live in, and it was brilliant to see people taking part in activities again as Covid restrictions ease.”

Clive Harriss, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure added: “It has been great to see so many locations across Buckinghamshire taking part, plenty of people getting involved, and a variety of events happening in our town centres and on our high streets, supporting reopening of our local areas and helping to bring the community together after so much time spent apart.”

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It is hoped that Open Weekend will be back next year after a successful first ever event.

The programme is supported using public funding by Arts Council England, and funding from Buckinghamshire Council, Heart of Bucks and Rothschild Foundation.

Look out for Open Weekend updates on their website: www.buckinghamshireculture.org.

Buckinghamshire Culture is a new cultural partnership formed to drive forward the cultural strategy for the county.