Tunbridge Wells is to become the first town in the county to host a unique puppetry festival this autumn.

The inaugural festival will bring together a programme of quality puppetry and animation events for everyone in venues across the town centre.

A brand new puppetry performance supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and commissioned especially for the event will celebrate the life and work of two local artists.

Local people, enthusiasts and tourists visiting the area can come together to enjoy the work of celebrated artists from across the UK and Europe between 10am and 9pm on Saturday, October 10.

A number events will be taking place including:

• Family shows by celebrated puppetry companies at Trinity Theatre, Toc H Hall and St Barnabas School, plus workshops and cabaret performances at The Forum
• A full day of free outdoor performances including Punch & Judy and other street art performances for everyone on The Pantiles
• A new art commission with local and regional significance to celebrate the life and work of local Tunbridge Wells and Frant-based artists Sprange and Smart. Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and in collaboration with Tunbridge Wells Museum and Gallery, the performance will be premiered at the gallery
• Local street food and crafts with themed puppetry stalls on The Pantiles

The festival has been in the planning for over a year and is the collaboration of Tunbridge Wells resident Linda Lewisand Bethan Tomlinson from Strangeface Theatre Company.

With an arts career spanning 40 years, Linda dedicates her time to promoting, developing and connecting puppetry in the UK and was behind the popular ‘Visions’Brighton Puppetry Festival that drew thousands during its run between 2000 and 2004.

It has always been Linda’s dream to bring new art forms to her hometown and to give Tunbridge Wells its very own puppetry festival.

She said: “Punch & Judy on English beaches and comedy creations like The Muppets are probably the first things that spring to mind when we think about puppetry but the aim of our festival is to show that there is so much more to this important and contemporary art form, and that there really is something for everyone, from young children to the young at heart and everyone else in between.

“Puppet theatre is often the preserve of bigger festivals such as the Edinburgh Fringe so we’re really looking forward to bringing it more into the mainstream and giving local people the chance to experience what these fantastic artists have to offer”.

For more information or to book tickets click here.