The organisers of the Cheadle Arts Festival had a zoom meeting last week to discuss our options for this year and essentially we still think we can achieve something in June, even if might be a bit different to all our hopes for last year. Overall, it is still our intention to support creativity in the community - increasing participation and enjoyment of all types of art-based activity. It is good to be able to showcase what Cheadle has to offer in terms of its local artists, creative groups and shops. One of the really popular elements to the Cheadle Arts Festival is what we call High Street Gallery - this is the fortnight when local shops and premises include artwork pieces in their windows displays. Over the last couple of years we have started to focus on how art is for everyone, drawing attention to the therapeutic nature of creative activities. Little did we know that during the last 12 months, creative endeavours would prove to be such a life-line for so many people. So we sha

Until today we thought we might be able to review the situation in the coming weeks, in case there were elements of the programme that we could safely continue with in June or later in 2020. Today the view of the organising committee is that it would be prudent and sensible to announce the cancellation of the whole programme for 2020.  Our thanks go to everyone that has committed their time and energy to shaping what would have been an exciting Cheadle Arts Festival programme. We hope that this effort is not wasted and the entire festival can be safely delivered in 2021.

Everything is under review. Not a surprise! Aren't these terrible times?! We are not cancelling the whole programme at the moment. There are elements of the Cheadle Arts Festival that we can review later, when we know more about how the viral spread is being managed. So we won't rush to make a decision. Other elements, in particular the ticketed events, will not be able to take place. Even if by June we are clear of corona virus (let's hope we are), it will not be feasible to sell tickets in the preceding months, or arrange the required rehearsals or meetings. This is a huge shame. A lot of people have put a lot of time and energy into creating a really exciting programme. Let's console ourselves that this has not been wasted effort. For a start the planning has been an enjoyable experience, thanks to the positivity of all involved. Also, we are ready to pick it all up and deliver a fantastic programme another time. Maybe later in the year, maybe next year. Mean

A number of groups are finalising their arrangements and thinking about promoting their activities, so may I remind you to send over the details so that we can make sure our programme remains up to date. We have a growing Events Listing on the web site. Also, please add the Arts Festival branding to any publicity materials you create. Drop me a line when you get to that stage and I can send over a file of logos in various formats. We would really like the logo, the website and the social media details shared as widely as possible please. The organising team will be in Cheadle Library again a few more times if you want to drop in for a chat. Please keep us up to date with your plans. 19th March 23rd April 14th May Meanwhile, artists and groups are not able to register online to take part in the Open Arts Exhibition and High Street Gallery events.

So now we have a proper web address and we are adding content to the new site. Online registration forms are open until May 14th for Open Arts Exhibition https://www.cheadle-arts.co.uk/high-street-gallery please visit www.cheadle-arts.co.uk

Breaking news 20th November: Cheadle Open Arts Exhibition has been offered a new location which would mean we can run a longer exhibition. We are in discussions with the owner of some premises in Cheadle to set up a gallery for our Open Arts Exhibition. This would mean that we can run the Exhibition for longer than one weekend, up to a month. Cross your fingers for us, and watch this space! We currently have a reservation at the Methodist Chapel, so rest assured that amazing space will still be used for the Festival one way or another. Possibly as a venue for a performance on 13th June. Plans are being made... We will publish more details on Cheadle Open Arts Exhibition as we finalise the arrangements.