Pippfest 2025
Pippfest Rises Again…
Years of drawing attention to the empty Grade II* listed Gilbert Scott building finally got a result and when the Dorking Halls had to close last summer for repair works the obvious venue to relocate was Pippbrook House.
Book your boogie shoes for Sunday 7 September because Pippfest returns! Dancing through lunch until sunset is back on the agenda as the CHiP (Community Hub in Pippbrook) project celebrates getting inside the building at last!
The new venue is working well and is open to people for hire for community and personal events as well as continuing some with some of Dorking Halls favourite activities. Dorking museum volunteer will be offering free tours around the building so please make sure you book your slot on arrival.
To celebrate this and to have one last blast, Pippfest will launch in typical style with Bloco do Sol marching into the Pippbrook campus at 11am. This will be followed by with non-stop music and art activities throughout the day.
As usual local artisans will be selling their products and community groups will be telling their stories in the Healing Fields. You will be able to find out more about how to get involved in town projects by talking to Circular Dorking or River Watch.
Organiser Jacqui Hamlin said,
See the amazing line-up so far!
Tours of Pippbrook House
Pippbrook House will be open and Dorking Halls staff will be on hand to tell you about upcoming events. Volunteers from Dorking Museum will be guiding people around Pippbrook House and sharing the amazing history of the building. Each tour lasting 30 -40 mins.
Tour times:
- 12 midday
- 12.45
- 1.30
- 2.15
- 3.00
- 3.45
- 4.30
Pippfest Event Map and Listing
Parking is available at the back of Dorking Halls.
Please note: As a park, the Pippbrook House grounds do not have toilet facilities. The nearest facilities are across the road at Dorking Halls and Dorking Sports Centre.
Music
The 2025 full line-up will follow soon please come back to visit this page for updates which will be added as we get them. The Event will start with Bloco du Sol and the fabulous Saji. Compere for the day will by Alanah from Surrey Hills Radio.
11:00 – 11.40 Bloco do Sul and Saji
12:00 -12:40 Molly
13:00 -13:40 Sophie Mullins
14:00 -14:40 3times7
15:00 -15:40 Nick Edwards
16:00 -16:40 Easy Skankin’
17:00 -18:00 Funky Town
Food and Drink
Healing Fields and Flower Arena
The Healing Fields is a beautiful green space full of therapists offering holistic treatment taster sessions for a donation.
People and organisations participating in this area include:
Lucis College will be offering a wide range of complementary therapies including Reflexology, Indian Head Massage, Reiki, Crystal Healing, Crystal Face Massage, Chakra Balancing and Crystal /Aura Readings, Kinesiology, Thai Foot Massage, Shamanic Healing, Spiritual Healing, Ear Candling, Ear Seeds.
Medium Paula Vgori and her partner Michelle were the hit of Pippfest 2024 and will be back offering readings.
The Flower Arena Timetable
Please note that the times are approximate so make your way to the Flower Arena by the tennis courts at the back of the site five minutes before it is due to start.If you have a blanket to sit on that would be helpful and maybe take some water too.
- 12.00 – 12.55 The Wild Choir with Philippa Snell
Dorking’s very own and very special Wild Choir are offering a song for peace and inviting our community to start the Flower Arena off by learning and singing the song together. How lovely. - 13.00 -13.55 Julli Dunman Tree meditation
Julli Dunman the woodland whisperer and forest bathing queen will be encouraging us to
You will be invited to relax and notice how experiencing nature with all our senses offers a space of calm reflection. This offers a chance to become fully immersed into the smells, sights and sounds in this beautiful space. - 14.00 – 14.55 Sound Bath
Come and relax at our Sound Bath in the Healing Fields. You’ll be invited to lie down or sit comfortably while gentle sounds from instruments such as gongs, chimes, and bowls wash over you. The vibrations help the body and mind to slow down, creating a peaceful space to rest and recharge.
Because Pippfest is full of music and life, this Sound Bath will flow with the sounds around us—helping you find calm even in the middle of a busy festival. No experience is needed, just bring yourself and an open mind. - 15.00 -15.55 Charlene Abdul and her pilates crew
An interactive talk on the benefits of Pilates to mind, body and soul. - 16.00 -16.55 Drumming
Join us for a fun and uplifting drumming session in the Healing Fields. This is all about rhythm, play, and connection. You’ll be guided through simple beats on hand drums and percussion, and together we’ll create rhythms that blend with the festival atmosphere.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve never drummed before—this is for everyone. You can join in at your own pace, feel the energy of the group, and enjoy the joy of making music together.
Craft Stalls
Creativity at the heart of our community. Explore our local stalls:
Heal the World – Eco Hub
Hosted by Circular Dorking, this area showcased some of the remarkable community groups and their activities.
Artists Colony
Watch amazingly talented local artists at work!
After Pippfest their work will be taken down and transferred to Dorking Main Railway station where it will be installed by The Mens Shed, and will form a year-round outdoor exhibition called @Platform1. This year, a big thank you to The Green Room Theatre, home of Dorking Dramatic & Operatic Society are sponsoring the Artists Boards.
Participating artists this year include:
Listen to Sally Elias talk about all things CHiP, Pippfest and the local Dorking community on Surrey Hills Radio.
Thank You to our Sponsors
Pippfest is run by CHiP with the amazing help of a group of local volunteers and organisations. It is very much run on a shoestring and relies on the good faith and help of so many who give their time and expertise freely and are fully invested in our inclusive and vibrant local community. This is what makes Dorking and the surrounding area so special.
Individuals to whom Pippfest is so grateful
We would like to send a special thank you to the following individuals:
Kathy Atherton
Kathy Kyle Bonomini
Simon Edmands
Andrew Fuller
Liz Fuller
Ken Kempster
Tom Lawrenson
Helen McEntire
Jack Newsham
Chris Nolan
Shirley O’Donoghue
Claire Parker
Nigel Raven
Rosie Riordan
Caroline Salmon
Wendy Saunders
David Tobitt
Naoise Walsh
Sir Adrian White
Jessica Yee
This page is being hosted on Circular Dorking’s website on behalf of the organisers of Pippfest.
