The 2026 Jesmond Community Festival has had its official launch, hosted this year by Holy Trinity Church, who devised a craft activity which resulted in some splendid Festival Flags and Bunting.
Rev Tim Sanderson welcomed visitors to Holy Trinity, whilst Sharon Challand told us about some of the festival activities taking place in the church. The Chair of Jesmond Community Forum, Dave Cross, recalled the roots of the festival in a music festival organised by the Council, in the Dene, 50 years ago. This version of JesFest sadly petered out after a few years, before being revived by the Forum in 2005, as a community-led event. Finally, Councillor Dr Sarah Peters congratulated all the community groups and volunteers involved in putting together the festival, and declared this year’s programme officially underway!