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Back in 2006 Local Councillor, David Thorpe, secured funding from the Community Cohesion Fund to spend in the local community. He canvassed ideas from local residents and the idea for the St Botolph’s Day festival was born.

A small band of willing volunteers put their names forward to shape the idea and the results are shared with you here. The 2007 festival on the green looked like being the highlight of the year. It was a lively, fun and entertaining day. There was a wide range of activities to suit all age groups. Craft stalls and village games, a fire engine, wildlife demonstrations, live music - all topped off with a barn dance and hog roast. Sunday’s events were a little more relaxed, with a Family Cycle Ride, Bear Hunt and Teddy Bears Picnic. Live music was on to entertain the picnickers and visitors, balloons and party games kept the children entertained. The day was rounded off with closely fought inter-street challenge.

The festival aimed to bring together local residents for a weekend of celebration. There was good old-fashioned village green entertainment, along with a wide range of activities for children and the young at heart, food, music, dancing and a rare chance to get to know one another. The festival was designed to be organised, run and enjoyed by local residents and you certainly helped to make it a special weekend for everyone.

With the huge success of that first event, it was repeated in following years and has grown in size with each year. The 2010 event coincided with England’s first match in the World Cup and the Saturday evening featured football on the big screen. 2012 was the Festival’s 6th year with football, England v Sweden for Euro 2012 being shown on the Friday evening.

You may not know much about St. Botolph, in fact not much is known about him, but he has left his mark throughout East Anglia with several places and churches bearing his name.

So join us on Botolph Green, Orton Longueville, this year as we commemorate this little known abbot with another Festival on the Green.

History of the Festival