From music to poetry and art to crafts, JAM on the Marsh finds unique ways to celebrate Romney Marsh.

It attracts thousands every year to this quiet corner of Kent – last year more than 7,000 people visited.

This year’s festival is made up of 10 concerts, four exhibitions, four talks and master classes, four children’s events, two poetry recitals and a churches tour.

The brainchild of local couple Ed and Sarah Armitage, it attracts some high-profile artists and musicians, which this year includes actress Dame Janet Suzman.

Curator Paul Mealor, whose first involvement with JAM on the Marsh was back in 2001, said: “It is celebrating that part of the world. I don’t know anywhere quite like it. It doesn’t just celebrate music – it recharges your batteries and is balm for the soul.

“Not everybody is going to like everything but there is something that everybody is going to like.”

Paul came to worldwide attention when he was chosen to write music for Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding in 2011.

His piece, Ubi caritas, was performed at Westminster Abbey and watched by 2.5bn people.

This year at the festival, a piece he was commissioned to write, the Shadows of War, which remembers the Battle of the Somme, will be performed by the London Mozart Players and Mousai Singers on Thursday, July 14 at 7pm at St Nicholas Church, New Romney. Other works will include Britten, Elgar, Vaughan Williams and Warlock.

LIVE BROADCAST

One of the JAM on the Marsh performances will be broadcast live to the world via BBC Radio 3.

On Friday, July 8, Dame Janet Suzman will join the BBC Singers and conductor Nicholas Cleobury for a concert of literature from Shakespeare to Vaughan Williams and Rossetti to Manley Hopkins.

It is the BBC Singers’ debut at the festival, and a return visit for Dame Janet, who appeared two years ago.

An actress, director and writer, her career began in 1962, when she starred in Billy Liar, joining the Royal Shakespeare Company a year later and playing a wealth of leading roles.
She said: “I am really looking forward to it. It is a part of the country I do not know well at all. And unfortunately I will not have time to explore, especially those lovely Romney Marsh churches. Give me a driver and a nice car and I’d love to do that!”

She said. “Throughout my career I have always enjoyed music and poetry together. It has formed a large part of the things I have done – not enough in my opinion!

“I am always thrilled when somebody wants to put poetry and music together, like this. You get a wonderful sort of sense of rhythm. It is very refreshing.”

She is delighted the performance will be on live radio. She said: “I would be very upset if anything happened to Radio 3 and 4 – they are two of England’s great glories in my opinion.

“It makes no difference to an actor whether it is being broadcast live or not. It is a little different on film as you are aware of the cameras looking particularly up your nose!”

CLASSY BRASS

JAM on the Marsh opens with Onyx Brass playing the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway’s Engine Shed on Thursday, July 7.

Considered one of the classiest brass ensembles in the country, they will be playing well known music from shows, alongside favourites from their classical repertoire, in what is a unique setting for a concert.

The evening includes a return journey from Hythe to New Romney on the railway, a hog roast and a drink.

DETAILS

JAM on the Marsh runs from Thursday, July 7 to Sunday, July 17. Some events are free and some are ticketed. For details of what’s on and when visit jamconcert.org/season or call 0800 988 7984.

Four free art exhibitions will take place at different venues. Other events include craft sessions for children, including Make and Fly a Kite at the Romney Marsh Visitor Centre on Sunday, July 10 at 10am.

The performance featuring the BBC Singers, Nicholas Cleobury and Dame Janet Suzman will be at St Nicholas Church, New Romney on Friday, July 8 at 7pm.