Dulwich Festival – Putting it all together

In anticipation of the annual Dulwich Festival, which takes place this year from 9th to 18th May, Victoria Goode, Co-Director of the Dulwich Festival, writes about what it takes for her and the Festival team of volunteers to put it all together while juggling day jobs and all their other commitments.

My husband and I moved from Croydon to Dulwich in 2005 – one of the best decisions we ever made. We wanted to live somewhere that had a heart, a centre, and we certainly found that in Dulwich. That first year, after perusing the Dulwich Festival programme that came through our door, we went along to the historical walk in Bel Air park, which we thoroughly enjoyed. The next year, 2006, we planned a bit more ahead, rallied a few friends together and attended more events including the festival debate and a cream tea crescendo. I loved the fact that I had a wealth of arts/community events on my doorstep.

At that time I was running an events company, and working part time for the Oxford Shakespeare Company. I’m always on the lookout for another challenge, and I wanted to become more involved in my local community, so I e-mailed the Dulwich Festival to offer my services. Next thing I knew I was part of the core team and my life hasn’t been the same since!

I am now Co-director of the Dulwich Festival, a role I share with Alpha Hopkins. We work alongside a veritable army of wonderful volunteers. In the team we have a treasurer, a press officer, people to arrange stewards, sponsorship and delivery of the programmes. Each event has its own organizer looking after it, and lastly (and most importantly) there are many many local people who deliver programmes to local homes and/or act as stewards at events. This means there is alwaysa role for anyone who’d like to get involved – however much time they can offer. In addition to our central co-ordination role, Alpha and I also arrange some of the events ourselves – this year I’m looking after Louis de Bernieres & Ilone Antonius-Jones, the Dulwich Ukulele Club, the Moth & Bat Walk and the Salsa night – where else could an event organizer enjoy that level of variety?

The biggest challenge is obviously fitting everything in. Both Alpha and I work full-time, and I run two businesses on top of singing in a choir and playing in a korfball team. Thankfully e-mail and text make remote co-ordination possible – even in your pyjamas!

There are many high points but last year listening to people cheering and stamping their feet at the end of the Swingle Singers performance in the Great Hall at Dulwich College, brought a very proud tear to my eye. Knowing we could be responsible for such a wonderful event, was a feeling to be treasured. Running the Green Fair in Dulwich Park was another highlight – working with such a great team of hard-working people to turn the utter chaos at 7.30am into a sunny triumph by 11am!

This year sees the full launch of our online ticketing so it has been great fun to see ticket sales begin to take off already!

I’m proud to live in Dulwich, and I’m very proud to be Co-Director of the Dulwich Festival. I hope that everyone who attends an event enjoys it thoroughly and if any of them are moved to get involved in planning 2009’s event, we’ll be waiting with open arms!

Visit the Dulwich Festival website for the full programme, ticketing and how to get to the festival, which starts two weeks from today.