Don't miss out on special events going on as part of Ealing Autumn Festival next month.

Celebrating the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, this year's Ealing Autumn Festival includes a number of events based on the theme of freedom, human rights and democracy.

The painting exhibition, entitled Magna Carta Turns 800, successfully launched in June and continues its tour across libraries in the borough. An open day was held on Saturday (September 26) at Northolt Library.

Also included in the Ealing Autumn Festivals are the following events:

  • From Saturday (October 3): The festival will celebrate Black History Month and The Big Draw, bringing a display of artworks. The series of Saturday afternoon drawing sessions will feature a portrait of Jimmy Hendrix by Ealing artist Rose Osborne.
  • Sunday October 11: Talented poet George Szirtes is judging the annual poetry competition, and will also be attending a poetry day at Ealing Central Library, including poetry readings and an open-mic session.
  • Tuesday October 13: Members of Da Rocha Pastorale, which include the festival's artistic director Gillian Spragg, will bring a light hearted view of the Magna Carta with a coffee-time concert in the informal setting of The Maurice Fowler Hall at Ealing Abbey.
  • Saturday October 17: An orchestral tribute to the Magna Carta from the West London Sinfonia will take place at St Michael's and All Angels Church, which will feature Copland's "Lincoln's Portrait", including a reading of the Gettysburg Address. Tickets are available on the door, and the concert will begin at 7.30pm
  • Monday October 19 to Wednesday October 21: Three-day visit from Russian chamber choir Voskresenije; this will feature a performance of "Vespers" by Rachmaninov, as well as events at Southall Library and Ealing Central Library.

The festival's artistic director, Gillian Spragg, said: "[During] our Magna Carta tour of Ealing Libraries for freedom, human rights and democracy, we've met some great people looking after our libraries and some astonishingly creative young craft people.

"Everyone has made us feel very welcome bringing the exhibition and people really do seem to have enjoyed looking at the paintings and reading the posters.

"We are now looking forward to a number of key events in October including some excellent musical tributes to Magna Carta, and the visit of Russian Chamber Choir Voskresenije is particularly exciting for the festival."

Further events are planned for later in the year and details on all the festival activities can be found on the Ealing Autumn Festival website.