AS PART of the town’s bid to reclaim Jane Austen as one of its own, the author will be at the heart of the sixth annual Basingstoke Festival.

Attracting international artists and big names to the borough for the month-long celebrations, this year’s theme will be ‘Born in the borough’.

Planning work is now under way for the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council-run festival, which starts on Friday, June 16, and runs until Sunday, July 9.

There will be a special reason for the festival to focus on local talent too, as July marks the 200th anniversary of the death of Jane Austen, who was born in the borough at Steventon.

Events and performances will be held throughout the festival to celebrate the world-renowned 19th century author, who drafted some of her best known works while living in this area.

Keeping this ‘home-grown’ focus, festival organisers are keen to ensure that as many areas as possible host a ‘Festival in the Community’ local event, especially helping to bring arts and performances to underused places around the borough.

Deputy leader of the borough council, who is responsible for art and culture, Cllr Terri Reid said: “On the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death, it is only right that the 2017 Basingstoke Festival, held in the borough where she was born, should highlight how her work still entertains and inspires people today.

“Special new pieces are being commissioned specially for the festival, showing the continuing relevance of the themes in Jane’s writing.

“And the ‘born in the borough’ theme gives us the opportunity to focus on the wealth of other talent we have here today, from local bands in Basingstoke Live to our young people being given the chance to perform on the Haymarket stage.”

Last year the festival featured everything from a sacred masked dance by Tibetan monks, a celebration of female authors and a Nasa film backing Holst’s Planet Suite performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, to an audio journey in a boat in Eastrop Park created by local artist Ben Mills and the Hanover Band performing a Handel masterpiece alongside Basingstoke Choral Society.

To find out more about holding a Festival in the Community event, contact Ross Harvie on festival@ basingstoke.gov.uk or call Ross on 01256 845676 before April 21.