2007 marked the 150th anniversary of George Eliot's first work of fiction, "Scenes of Clerical Life". To celebrate the life and writing of Nuneaton's world-famous author, a Heritage Lottery Funded festival, Scenes Revisited, was organised by Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council, The George Eliot Fellowship, Nuneaton & Bedworth Heritage Forum, and Warwickshire County Council.

 

The festival's celebrations included a huge variety of events from fascinating talks by expert biographers and writers to Victorian-themed family days.

 

The festival was a tremendous success with over 14,000 people attending the events, and many more enjoying the town centre launches and Scenes Revisited Touring Exhibition.

Whilst the main festival took place from September to December, celebrations kicked off in the early summer with walking tours and a fabulous performance of the life of George Eliot by George Eliot Community School. 

 

The summer also saw special Scenes Revisited Coach Tours visit the local places which inspired Eliot's stories, such as the picturesque All Saints Chilvers Coton Church and the gothic manor house of Arbury Hall. Meanwhile, reading groups all over the borough received free copies of an anniversary edition of the book thanks to The George Eliot Fellowship.

 

The festival itself showcased a wide range of events, beginning with town centre launches in late August presenting Victorian dance from Judith Vardy Dance Studios and Eliot-inspired drama from King Edward College.

 

In early September, a large number of local heritage sites opened their doors to join in the festival celebrations for the Heritage Open Days weekend. Events included George Eliot-themed flower festivals at Chilvers Coton and Astley Churches, exhibitions at the Chilvers Coton and Parsonage Project Heritage Centres, and an Open Day combining Eliot and live music at Bedworth Almshouses.            

Speakers came to the borough to entertain audiences and shed light on Nuneaton's controversial writer. Amongst them were the acclaimed biographers Rosemary Ashton and Kathryn Hughes. BAFTA award winners Andrew Davies and Giles Foster also gave talks, both of whom have produced much-loved TV adaptations of Eliot's novels.

 

The coach tours continued into September and a special cycle ride took place, providing a healthier introduction to the world of Eliot's fiction!

 

Famous local author Rosie Goodwin presented the festival's Short Story Competition Awards at Bedworth Civic Hall, and the King Edward College Players returned to give a full-length performance of scenes from Eliot's fiction at St Nicolas Parish Church - with Flamenco Group, Via Uno, adding a Mediterranean flavour to the event!

 

Nuneaton Museum & Art Gallery hosted several family activities exploring Victorian music and science, as well as exhibitions including 'Clerics 9-5', showing the lifestyles of the modern clergy, and 'Scenes Revisited'. 

Festival-themed real ales were produced, appropriately by Church End Brewery! These included the popular 'George-ous festival ale' which sold so well that the Brewery produced a second batch! A pub quiz testing people's knowledge of the literary giant also took place there.

 

The festival concluded in spectacular fashion with a Christmas concert mixing Victorian classical music from the Contrasts Chamber Ensemble with extracts from Eliot's stories read by John Burton and Vivienne Wood of The George Eliot Fellowship.