Under the Big Tent: How Ampthill Conquered a Cultural Void with Music and Memories

From dance, drama, and music performed by local schools to great food, tribute acts, and orchestral performances, this celebration truly had something for everyone.

Mariella Cook, who helped organise the event alongside the Ampthill Cultural Events charity, has been working to enrich Ampthill’s cultural scene for several years. For her and the team, the Big Tent Weekend provides the perfect backdrop for locals to honour and showcase the many talents of the Ampthill community.

Now in its second year, organisers have seen continued growth in both attendance and interest.

A ginormous tent (once leased from Glastonbury) stands at the centre of the Alameda School playing field, providing a generous space for performances in front of packed audiences.

“With the vagaries of British weather, you can no longer rely on the summer to behave,” Mariella explains. “The tent enables the event to take place—come rain or shine."

“On Day 1, we had Big Tent Schools, with students performing dance, drama, and music from The Firs Lower, Alameda Middle, Maulden Lower, Russell Lower, and Redborne Upper."

"Around 350 children took part, and the event ended with a massed choir of 250 people singing England’s football anthem, ‘It’s Coming Home’."

“Then on Day 2, we had Big Tent Tributes, which was introduced by Horizon Radio’s DJ Chris Gregg. It was kicked off by local band competition winners from Harlington School, Life Before Seatbelts."

“By the end of the evening, the tent was full of festival-goers singing along to nostalgic throwbacks such as ‘We Are the Champions’ and ‘We Will Rock You’."

"It had an incredible atmosphere, led by That’s So 90s and tribute act UKQUEEN” “Great sound. Great lights. Amazing vibes!”, she added.

It was on Day 3 that Mariella and the Cultural Events team rekindled one of Ampthill’s favourite historic gatherings—The Proms—with Facebook users describing it as a “wonderful show”.

Compered by Bryan Bland, the evening featured the Ampthill Orchestra beautifully performing classics from the musicals alongside other Proms favourites. Special guest opera singers Bonaventura Bottone and Elizabeth Bottone, along with local musical theatre performer Amelie Williams, deeply impressed those in attendance.

It was captivating for everyone to see the flags waving during the rendition of ‘Land of Hope and Glory’, while many tears were shed during ‘Nessun Dorma’.

But one of this year's biggest achievements was bringing back the much-loved Town Parade, which has also been sorely missed in Ampthill.

Led by a red Rolls-Royce carrying the Mayor and Mayoress, the parade made its way to the site of the Big Tent.

As the procession wound through the streets, performers in vibrant costumes joined in. Driven by the sound of drums and percussion, the gathering drew onlookers straight to their doorsteps to witness the spectacle.

The procession's theme of ‘Ampthill Through the Ages’ took residents on a trip down memory lane, reflecting on times past.

“The weekend concluded with The Big Tent Fete finale,” Mariella says, “which had a vast array of activities on offer for all ages. These included giant inflatables, a 5-a-side football tournament (sponsored by Utilita), community stalls, a makers' market, literature and crafts, hot food, local bands, and 'Sunday School Bangers' performed by Ampthill Baptist Church.

“If you want to see an example of a small community at its very best, you need look no further.”

The charity behind the Big Tent Weekend was set up in early 2024, after bad weather forced the cancellation of the Ampthill Proms, which had been running for over a decade, leaving behind a sense of disappointment and a cultural void in the town.

Now, just over two years on, the Ampthill Cultural Events team has managed to not only launch the summer festival with great success, but is also involved in organising several other projects. These include Aragon Day, Summer Recitals, the Eco Sculpt Competition, and more, with further plans to “offer experiences to help with mental health and wellbeing”.

The ethos of the group has attracted attention from some well-known faces, such as former England and Liverpool goalkeeper David James, and renowned actor Robert Daws, who joined as a patron.

“The aim of the charity is to create and promote events which bring the community together and build a shared appreciation of arts and culture” Mariella wrote on Facebook.

“This is put on FOR the community, BY the community”

“It's enabled entirely by volunteers - from the instigation to the end. It would not have happened without them.”