Seething Festival in Surbiton this weekend

We’re all familiar with Sleeping Beauty, Jack and the Beanstalk and Little Red Riding Hood, but how many of us have heard of local Surbiton legend Lefi Ganderson?

Goat Boy Lefi’s heroic actions are being celebrated at this weekend’s Seething Festival (27-28 February). There are plenty of different activities to join in, with much of the fun centred around community-spirited pub The Lamb (73, Brighton Road, Surbiton).

From 12 noon on Saturday, you can join in the archaeological dig in the garden of The Lamb, said to be the mythical location of Lefi’s cave. After the dig, everyone’s invited to prepare a mask and costume for Sunday’s Seething Festival Procession – so get your creative hat on and join in the community spirit!

At 3pm, there’s a rehearsal for the community play – and once again – it’s open to all so just bring a sense of adventure and head down to The Lamb pub.

As the day draws to a close, The Lamb comes alive with a Lefi Ganderson Folk Night – where local bands will be playing original music dedicated to Lefi.

On Sunday, there’s another session of mask and costume making at The Lamb from 1pm. Here everyone’s welcome to create their own character for the afternoon procession – which kicks off from Jewsons (68 Brighton Road) at 4.40pm. Anyone can join in the procession – or watch it as it meanders along Brighton Road, up Surbiton’s main high street, Victoria Road, along St Andrew’s Road, down Maple Road and back to Brighton Road again.

The legend of Lefi Ganderson has been created by imaginative local Surbiton resident Robin Hutchinson and illustrated by talented local Rosalind Maroney.

The legend is told in a beautifully illustrated book that is being sold for £10 at the festival this weekend. Proceeds from the book will raise money for the International Youth Arts Festival (IYAF).

 

Find out more about the festival and the legend here.