Home

Culturally Chard
Spring Festival

Chard Town Council presents the Spring Festival which first ran in 2022 and will take place again from 27th – 29th April 2023. Thurs 27th evening – music at the Guildhall. Friday 28th -Water Histories showcase, Family Theatre after school, Creative Supper in the evening. Sat 29 Celebration of Dance and Comedy Night.

More info

The Banners of Chard 2021-22

A Somerset Art Works led project creating community banners to celebrate Chard – people and place. Five striking banners – collective pieces, with imagery created by many different people and groups with artist Jenny Mellings. The Chard skyline runs across all banners to link them, with different elements of Chard imagery /heritage /culture/stories in the foreground. More info

ChardCast – Chard Revealed 2022-23

A serialised podcast (12 episodes), co-created with residents of Chard, fusing drama, history and sound-art. Using the vast archive at Chard Museum as a starting point, participants will work together to devise a serialised podcast that mixes historical accounts with funny sketches, audio-quizzes, poetry, sound-art and interviews focused on Chard and the High Street. Listen here: https://www.chardmuseum.co.uk/chard-cast

Water Histories 2022 -23

A community project in Chard coordinated by Somerset Art Works. Lead artist Anna Chrystal Stephens is working with the community to create work that responds to the ‘spirit of water’ in
Chard. The presence of water is always felt in the town centre; the two streams emerging in Chard high street flowing down either side. Read more and see images at the Water Histories blog https://waterhistories.uk/

Window Wanderland 2023

This project provides an opportunity for the community of Chard to create illuminated artworks that will be displayed in the windows of buildings in Chard town centre in Feb/March 2023. We will energise the town centre with illuminated window displays and an outdoor projection event. The theme is Belonging: people of Chard past, present, future. More info

Hidden High Street Histories 2021-23

Led by Chard Museum, this project focuses on the history and heritage of High Street businesses, organisations and people who worked and made their living in the High Street Action Zone. It also includes rejuvenating historic Chard walks. More info

Chard Together – Chard Goes Global 2023-24

The Community Council for Somerset (Somerset Diverse Communities team), in partnership with Chard Community Hub and local volunteers, will run this project to create a celebration of diverse communities in Chard. The aims are to encourage inclusion and cross-community understanding. Chard Together will take place at the Guildhall on Saturday 11 March 2023 with a theme of ‘Belonging – Who are the People of Chard, Past, Present and Future’.

Read More

Chard Carnival

The Chard Carnival Committee runs the annual Carnival that attracts around 10,000 people to Chard each year. Development of the Carnival will encompass a diverse Carnival theme and will expand on the existing carnival and develop additional opportunities for people to become involved in the event. A street fayre will include live entertainment and stalls. More info

Creative Supper 2023

Somerset Art works will work with the Cultivate project to offer an evening event of food and culture on Friday 28 April as part of the Spring Festival 2023.

More info coming soon…

Holyrood Academy Culturally Chard Project 2023

It Starts Here! A Youth Council initiated project which will be led by 10 x Year 10 IGCSE Media students from Holyrood Academy. Students will develop ideas and make 4 x short films each about 30 secs – 1 minute long, each will promote different aspects of Chard. The outcomes of this project are designed with social media in mind and to reach a wide youth audience.

The films will showcase what is good about Chard from a Young People’s perspective. Premiere at the Spring Festival 2023.

Treasure Chard – Holyrood Academy Town Treasure Trail

For the Culturally Chard Spring Festival 27-29 April 2023.

Fancy a treasure hunt with a difference? Find the strange artefacts concealed in the windows of Chard. With each item learn a little more about our historic town and its culture. This activity is appropriate for all ages and abilities and has been produced in partnership between Holyrood, Chard Museum and the businesses of Chard. Treasure Hunt schedules will be available from the Tourist information office in the Guildhall in April.

Launch 10 July 2021

The Launch of Culturally Chard was held on Saturday 10 July 2021. More info

Summer Family Days 2021

FREE creative workshops for families living in Chard, Summer 2021.

Heritage Open Days 2021

Explore the heritage of Chard town centre 15-18 September 2021.

CHARD CARNIVAL 4TH TO 9TH OCTOBER 2021

Find out about the Carnival in 2021

https://chardcarnival.co.uk/pages/chard-carnival-year-2021

Culturally Chard Community Network Meeting 2022

Weds 20th October 2021 from 3.30pm to 7:00pm at the Guildhall. An opportunity for all to find out about Culturally Chard and how to get involved. More info

Artist Residency and Commission – Water Histories 2022

Artist appointment for the Water Histories Project.

Download the brief for more details.

Culturally Chard
Spring Festival 2022

Chard Town Council presented the new Spring Cultural Festival on Thursday 28^th April to Saturday 30th April 2022. Click here to find out what happened

The Banners of Chard Celebration Event 2022

Friday 29th April, 11am-5pm
at The Guildhall
A celebratory day and unveiling of the Banners of Chard – made by members of the community with Somerset Art Works artist Jenny Mellings. Click here to find out more

Chard Revealed July 2022

Explore the History of Chard
Look back at the amazing history of Chard at Chard Revealed – a free, two-day event held at
The Guildhall, Chard on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd July 2022.

CHARD CARNIVAL OCTOBER 2022

Find out about the Carnival in 2022:

https://chardcarnival.co.uk/pages/the-story-of-chard-carnival-week-2022

Heritage Open Days 09 – 18th September 2022

Welcome to England’s largest festival of history and culture! Every September thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences.
Click Here to see all Chard Events