About

Building on the success and enthusiasm generated by the first Cuckfield Music Festival in 2019, the 2nd is scheduled for 17th-20th June 2021. As we said as a preface to 2019’s events, Sussex is a music-loving area, full of people who play or sing at many levels but always with energy and commitment. There are even more who simply enjoy listening to the performances of others, whether amateur or professional.

At the start of last year we were busy engaging some, at least, of the performers who were envisaged as part of another 8-day event in 2021, but with a particular emphasis on young performers. However, the long shadow of covid 19, and the consequent uncertainty over how much normality would return by mid-June, led us to take two decisions. First, that the 2021 Music Festival must be rethought on a smaller scale – fewer performers, and seating that might well still have to be socially distanced. Secondly, that the full, 8-day Festival should be carried forward and restored in 2022.

The Cuckfield Music Festival has now been registered as a Community Interest Company (CiC). The main reason for this is that if, at some future time and for reasons not currently foreseeable, it was unable to carry on, any surplus funds would be passed on to the benefit of music in Cuckfield. The CiC has a committee of four. Hannah Carter and David Mortimer continue as Music and General Manager respectively, together with David Underwood and David Spear.

David Underwood is the Treasurer for the Cuckfield Music Festival. He is now retired but allegedly 40 years in banking qualifies him for this role.

 David Spear performed in the 2019 Music Festival with his acapella group ‘No Strings Attached’ and greatly enjoyed all the other acts he saw. His music tastes are wide, and he sings from Mozart to Simon & Garfunkel, and from sacred music through to light rock. After working here at Cuckfield Hospital (years ago) he decided that this is the place for him to live. David is thrilled to be involved with this years festival.