The worlds of culture and football will come together next weekend as The Bath Festival joins forces for the first time with Bath City Football Club to kick off a day of activities and celebrity appearances.
One of a number of special collaborations in this year’s ambitious Festival programme, the event on Saturday May 12 at Bath City’s Twerton Park ground takes place as the club celebrates the end of its first year under community ownership.
Award-winning Bath-based film director Ken Loach, who has supported Bath City for more than four decades, will attend a free screening of his film Looking For Eric and will answer audience questions.
The film is centred on the escape from the trials of modern life that football and its heroes can bring for its fans with a cast that includes former Manchester United striker Eric Cantona.
talkSport will be live broadcasting from the ground with presenter Danny Kelly, former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan and ex-pro Danny Gabbidon, including a preview of the last day of the Premier League on the following day and the FA Cup Final the following Saturday as well as a look ahead to the World Cup.
More traditional fare will be on offer on the pitch, including a beat-the-goalie contest and mini-coaching sessions with the Bath City Community Sports Foundation, plus a chance to meet City players – and even club mascot Bladud the Pig.
Bath City general manager Carole Banwell said: “We are delighted to be joining forces with The Bath Festival for this football extravaganza in celebration of our first year of community ownership.
Festival artistic director of words and literature Alex Clark added: “I’m a fanatical football fan and find it hard to walk past a Sunday morning kickabout in the park without stopping to have a look.
“I also wanted to make sure The Bath Festival spread its wings to welcome new audiences. The match with Bath City is one of the most enjoyable things I’ve done during my time at Bath, and I’m really looking forward to a day of talking non-stop about the beautiful game.”
Free tickets for Looking For Eric will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and can be reserved by calling Bath Box Office on 01225 463362 or booking online at https://bathfestivals.org.uk/the-bath-festival/event/twerton-park-free-family-football-extravaganza/
The fill programme of events is:
FAMILY FOOTBALL QUIZ
12noon – 1pm
£6 (adults and children must purchase a ticket). Age 7+
Pit your wits and test your knowledge against footballing super-brain David Brayley in our quiz for children and adults alike. Just buy a ticket and either come with your team already sorted (maximum 8 per side) or we’ll find you a likely looking bunch of experts.Children under 12 years of age must be accompanied by a ticket buying adult.
talkSport – LIVE BROADCAST
2-5pm
£8 (£7)
Join us for talkSport’s live broadcast presented by Danny Kelly. Get your question lined up and we’ll put you straight to air!
CREATE A FOOTBALL ADVENTURE
2-3pm
£7 (Age 7+)
Join sports writer and author David Brayley for this workshop. Learn how to create spellbinding stories and brilliant characters, all based around the beautiful game. You need only buy a ticket for each young person attending. Adults attend for free, should they wish to stay. If not, parents/guardians must sign children in and leave a mobile number in case of emergencies.
FILM SCREENING: LOOKING FOR ERIC – WITH SPECIAL GUEST KEN LOACH
3pm. (Rated 15)
FREE BUT TICKETED
A free screening of the film Looking For Eric written by screenwriter Paul Laverty and directed by Ken Loach. The film's cast includes tEric Cantona and the former bass guitarist with The Fall, Steve Evets. These free tickets will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and can be reserved by calling Bath Box Office on 01225 463362 or booking online. In addition, a limited number of tickets will be available for local residents to pick up from the Bath City FC office in person, Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm or call 01225 423087 if you can’t make it during those times.
THE MEN WHO LOVE FOOTBALL
6-7pm
£7 (£6)
Writers Michael Calvin, Tony Evans and James Brown discuss what makes people devote their lives to the game, along with all the highs and lows. All the panellists will be signing books afterwards.
CELEBRITY QUIZ
8-9pm
£8 (£7)
A homage to A Question of Sport, watch the panel slug it out. A place on each team was recently auctioned and each celebrity team will be joined by a Bath City FC fan!
Tickets for events currently on sale can be purchased on the website www.thebathfestival.org.uk or by calling Bath Box Office on 01225 463362.
The Bath Festival, which runs from May 11 to 27 and features some of the biggest names in music and literature with an accessible and vibrant programme that embraces the wider performing arts.
Leading thinkers, writers and musicians will perform with the most gifted new talent emerging on the global stage. The festival will also provide a platform for the year-round extensive creative learning programme.
