Welcome to Hurst Life’s Hurst Festival event page. Here you will find our most recent information for the two week September festival.

A registered charity, Hurst Festival was conceived in 2004 by a merry band of friends over dinner, impressed by the wealth of talent in our village. It has one aim; to provide people with two weeks of enjoyment in September during which we can meet each other, experience something new and feel connected to our community.

Colin retires as Hurst Festival director

By Michel Olszewski, Chair of Trustees Hurst Festival

Hurst Festival was very fortunate to have Colin Matthews as a member of the team when he joined thirteen years ago. His experience of managing events and his many years as a member of the Brighton Festival Fringe organising committee has helped our Festival to become such a success, as well as a much anticipated annual event. Colin is a village boy having been born and brought up in the village and there is no doubt that his local knowledge and contacts have been of enormous help in developing and planning the festival.

Colin reflected on his proudest achievement: “Seeing the community enjoying major arts events in the Holy Trinity church. I got a real buzz from seeing over 200 audience members enjoying themselves.” He plans to do more travelling now, both in his campervan and abroad, especially visiting his children in America.

Colin has now handed the baton to Festival Manager Susan Eskdale, who has shadowed him over the past year and we will all certainly miss his calm approach, meticulous planning and guidance.

The 2026 Hurst Festival will be held in the last two weeks of September. Please do feel free to contact Susan if you have any ideas for events or would like to join the Festival committee - manager@hurst festival. org. We are always looking for volunteers to help during the festival; if you would like to join this enthusiastic team, please contact Belinda Sharp at volunteers@hurstfestival.org.

Festival looking to fill roles

By Michel Olszewski, Chair of Trustees
Following another successful year, Hurst Festival is in the process of putting together the programme for 2026, our 22nd year. Our original objectives remain the same: a Festival planned by the community for the whole of the community and we are actively seeking support and ideas from everyone. Join us in this exciting, stimulating and enjoyable journey by considering joining us in any of the following roles:
Trustees - Hurst Festival is a registered Charity and we are currently seeking applications for new trustees. Being a Trustee is a stimulating and rewarding role and you would be joining a group of local, committed and very friendly people. If you are interested or want to hear more, please contact Michel on michelhurst3@gmail.com.
Festival committee - the Festival is planned and run by an enthusiastic and active committee. Susan, our Festival manager would love to hear from you if you would like to consider joining or would like to hear more about this enjoyable and friendly team. Contact Susan at manager@hurstfestival.org.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support, encouragement and positive feedback.

The Watoto Children’s Choir from Uganda is currently on a 3-month UK tour, where they are set to perform to nearly 100,000 people in churches, schools and community spaces across the nation. In years gone by they have performed for Her Majesty The Queen, US Presidents and countless governments in parliaments across the globe, sharing their stories of hope through song and dance. The Watoto Children’s Choir has recently released a new album ‘Better Days - There Is Hope’.

The Watoto Children’s Choir will be performing in a free concert this month, taking place at Holy Trinity Church, Hurstpierpoint on 24th May at 6.30pm.

Executive Director of Watoto UK Andrew White says: “We are delighted to continue the UK tour in Hurstpierpoint, as we seek to raise awareness of the incredible work of Watoto in caring for vulnerable women and placing the orphans in families across Uganda and South Sudan.
”Other than going to Africa yourself, what better way to learn about all the good work Watoto is doing, than through this heartwarming, musical performance. The proceeds made from the album will help Watoto continue to provide vulnerable children with an education, medical care, a safe place to call home, and most of all, the love of a family.”