Port Eliot Festival 2011

Back to the beginning…

After hosting the now-legendary Elephant Fayre music festival at Port Eliot from 1981 to 1986, Lord St Germans began a new festival at Port Eliot in 2003. The festival was founded by Peregrine St Germans and his wife, Catherine St Germans; actor and musician, Rick Worthy (also one of the original organisers of the Elephant Fayre); and Simon Prosser, long time friend of Lady St Germans and the publishing director of Hamish Hamilton.

This passionate and creative team believed there was room for a new kind of literary event, with the craic of a music festival. The writers, poets and journalists appearing at the festival were encouraged to perform material they would not be given the opportunity to present at orthodox literary festivals – using their creativity to devise imaginative, interesting and entertaining shows, they went far above and beyond merely reading aloud from their latest books and taking questions from the floor. Some created original works for the show, others performed spontaneous acts. All were asked to “do something different with words” – and so the Port Eliot Festival’s unique spirit was born.

The first year, the festival had 17 paying punters and three times as many performers, artists and crew. But it was a magical weekend of words and music, in the grounds of one of the most beautiful stately homes in England. Word quickly spread among young writers that at last here was a festival at which they could do what they wanted. The following year, 1,000 people attended. Catherine St Germans and Simon Prosser drew some of the brightest names in publishing, music and the visual arts and encouraged them to take risks with their performances.

The performers

An incredible array of performers have appeared at Port Eliot over the years – drawn by the festival’s laid-back approach, colourful atmosphere and friendly vibe. “Most festivals now, literature festivals in particular, are high pressure and high profile,” says Hanif Kureishi. “Port Eliot is a sort of upmarket pop festival… It’s fun… It’s nice for the kids. It’s a lovely place, it’s just very relaxing.” New areas have also been added, broadening the appeal to a younger audiences and others who might never have considered coming to a literary festival before – including the immensely popular Cabaret Tent (where you’ll dance late into the night), the Boat House, the Caught By The River stage and the enchanting House of Fairy Tales.

Amongst the many performers to have appeared at the festival are Diana Athill, Helen Simpson, Sarah Waters, Jung Chang, Jarvis Cocker, Dominic West, Grayson Perry, Hanif Kureishi, Hari Kunzru, Kate Summerscale, Rosie Boycott, Tim Smit, Ekow Eshun, Toby Young, David Mitchell, Louis De Bernières, Barbara Hulanicki, Luella Bartley, Stephen Jones, Anna Sui, Justine Picardie, Anita Pallenberg, Alexander Masters, Immodesty Blaize, Aisle 16, MJ Hyland, Francis Upritchard, Stephen Frears, Mike Figgis, Julien Temple, Sally Potter, Martin Parr, Colin Wilson, Mick Brown, Simon Jameson, The Magic Numbers, British Sea Power, Talvin Singh, Noah and the Whale, Cherry Ghost, Jakob Dylan, Fionn Regan, Harper Simon, Alabama 3, Louis Eliot, Gaz Mayall, Gavin Turk, Deborah Curtis, Murrary Lachlan-Young, Maria Alvarez, Alain de Botton, Jamie Brisick, Gavin Pretor Pinney, Tom Hodgkinson and Hugo Williams. The Port Eliot Festival has also developed a reputation for fantastic food, with the likes of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Moro, Skye Gyngell, Rose Prince, Daniel de la Falaise, Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen chefs and Angela Hartnett cooking here over the years.

The way forward

2010 was Port Eliot Festival’s biggest and most successful year to date. The festival has grown each year since it began, attracting a huge range of performers from high-profile household names to the best home-grown local talent. A first for any British festival, the Port Eliot Flower Show, curated by production designer and associate designer of the Rambert Dance Company, Michael Howells, paid homage to the traditional British summer flower show – but infused it with Port Eliot’s very own style and magic.

New to Port Eliot in 2009, Caught by the River returned to its spot down by the estuary in 2010 with a stellar line-up featuring talks, demonstrations, art, live music, DJs, sound installations, laughter, delicious fish and plenty of inspiration. The Bird Effect, curated by documentary filmmaker, Ceri Levy, was an intriguing collection of performances and talks from high profile bird lovers, and artist Matt Sewell’s custom bird hide and Birds in the Trees treasure hunt proved popular with children and adults alike.

Another new addition down by the river this year was the Idler’s Academy of Philosophy, Husbandry and Merriment, which included demonstrations Latin grammar, scything, woodwork, education theory and poetry from a whole host of amusing and inspiring performers. Of course, it goes without saying that there was plenty of idleness going on too. It was the perfect spot to lounge by the river, soak up the sunshine and watch the world go by.

Chris Watson is one of the world’s leading recorders of wildlife, and has worked with everyone from David Attenborough to Sigur Ros. This year, he returned to Port Eliot with his ever-popular Nature Disco, as well as a specially-commissioned piece for the festival in the Round Room. Dusk Until Dawn – A Soundscape around Port Eliot is an exclusive recording of the sounds around the estate, from the hunting cries of owls and foxes through to the dawn chorus.

Why not try something new and come and discover Port Eliot’s magic for yourself?