NEWSLETTER – May 2024
Welcome to the Bonsall Arts Trail news. Plans are coming together nicely. The team are working hard in all areas to make sure the event is fabulous enticing lots of people to come into Bonsall for culture, street food, entertainment, and fun.
The Trail
The trail is a chance for exploration of this quirky historical village with the opportunity to seeing artists on the park in marquees, in gardens, community buildings or inside beautiful historic houses. Bonsall has part of the Limestone pathway and certainly walking down Stepping Lane footpath is very central in the village and links the Upper Town with the Middle Town. The hop on hop off minibus is running two routes through the village constantly over the trail weekend and is free with an art trail programme and wristband to get you around to the venues that are spread throughout the village. Tufa cottage outlies on Via Gellia it is our first venue and one not to be missed – Tufa Cottage is shrouded in history being the only ‘Tufa’ cottage in the country and boasts a miniature working railway which will be available to ride free of charge. Tufa cottage is also serving refreshments and of course there are artists exhibiting there.
Street food, coffee and pizzas and other drinks both alcoholic and non-alcoholic will be available around the trail. The Barley Mow is open from 12 midday, do not miss visiting there for refreshments, if you have not been before it is a quirky abode having attained awards for the best pub in Derbyshire. The Kings Head Pub will also be open from 4pm on Saturday and 12 middays on Sunday – a traditional pub shrouded in history. The Fountain Cafe is open all weekend from 8.30am and is serving breakfasts, food, cakes and drinks all day. The Fountain Cafe sits facing south for the best part of the day, a fabulous sun trap for taking a break from the trail. Other traders include, pizza’s, barista coffees, plant-based food, and drinks on tap, serving all ranges of drinks. Our featured musicians are the Heron Brothers from Derby who are an indie band with a great vibe and will be performing both days along with Midi man solo busker on Saturday afternoon. Sunday, we have the UKE band playing in the morning and afternoon if you fancy a bit of a sing along while you are taking a break.
The Rectory on Church Street will have ‘Riverside drinks’ who offer cakes, coffee, and cocktails. The Sons of Rodger will be performing their on Saturday. On Sunday, our busker will perform throughout the day at various times.
The Bonsall Arts Trail Flyers on their rounds with distribution active from the team members and artists. We have successfully posted out flyers to artists to increase the distribution across Derbyshire and further afield. Our metrics show that FB and Instagram posts are growing in coverage as we continue to populate social media daily. We have 120 talented, curated artists exhibiting on the trail, along with a Plein air painting team from Matlock Artist Society that will be painting in beautiful gardens at the top of Church Street, capturing the garden and views beyond, enjoy seeing artists at work.