Photographing the Rendlesham Show has become a highlight of my year, a tradition I’ve proudly kept since 2018 (with the understandable pause during 2020 and 2021). This year marked my sixth time capturing the event for the Parish Council, and as always, it was an opportunity to document not just what happened, but what the show means to the community.
Organised superbly by Rendlesham Parish Council and led by event co-ordinator Ellie Hutchinson, the 2025 show took place across two days at Jubilee Park. Friday night kicked off the celebrations with live music, fairground rides, and food stalls. Saturday was followed by a packed programme of performances, workshops, and stalls, all delivered with the kind of enthusiasm only a volunteer-led village event can bring.
Planning the Photography
In the weeks leading up to the show, I used the full event programme to plan my photographic approach. While it’s important to document headline acts and official features, the essence of the Rendlesham Show often lies in the unscripted moments, a child holding their winning dog show rosette, a grandparent clapping along to the school choir, or neighbours chatting over a pint from the community bar.
My strategy is always based on quiet observation, blending into the crowd, anticipating the pace of the day, and letting stories unfold naturally. Over the years, I’ve come to recognise familiar faces, familiar rhythms. These photographs form part of a long-term record of village life here in Suffolk.
Saturday’s Stage, Full of Local Talent
The main stage was the heartbeat of Saturday. Local saxophonist Tim Sadler opened the day with warm, easy notes before the Rendlesham Primary School Choir filled the space with energy, performing songs across all year groups from EYFS to UKS2. These are the kinds of performances that matter: children singing in front of their families, teachers supporting from the sidelines, and the community cheering them on.
The afternoon featured a brilliant line-up:
- Tim Sadler, lived in Rendlesham for 23 years and has been playing the saxophone for over 50 years
- Eliza Gold, folk-pop with a gentle charm
- Chloe Kinrade School of Dance, expressive group numbers by talented young dancers
- Jenna Oxbury, delivering catchy country vocals with confidence
- Amy Villa, mixing pop and country stylings with ease
- Grace Nash, a rising vocalist who captivated the crowd
- Harry Isaac Presley, an Elvis tribute, that had people dancing and laughing in equal measure
Sadly, Adam Thomas was unable to attend. These things happen, and the show carried on with typical Suffolk good spirit. The evening closed in style with All Bets Are Off, whose indie, punk and rock covers lifted the crowd into a proper festival mood.
A Village Show With Something for Everyone
Away from the stage, Jubilee Park buzzed with activity. Bloomfield Amusements’ fun fair lit up Friday night and kept going strong on Saturday, while Beeline Bouncers brought in everything from pony racing to the towering Spider Mountain.
The Classic Car Show drew a devoted audience. I always enjoy capturing the quiet reverence car owners have for their machines, and the pride in every polished curve.
One of the day’s most joyous sections was the Dog Show, hosted by Perrera Dogs UK SCIO. From scruffy charmers to well-groomed champions, the dogs made for brilliant photographic subjects and brought plenty of smiles to the field.
Despite the occasional on-and-off showers, the weather never got in the way. If anything, it added a kind of British resilience to the atmosphere. People carried on laughing under umbrellas, stallholders stayed upbeat, and performers danced through the drizzle. The few showers quickly passed, with them came richer colours, softer light, and a renewed appreciation for the sunshine when it returned.
There was so much to explore. Young dancers from the Chloe Kinrade School of Dance moved gracefully across the green, cheered on by families and neighbours. Children enjoyed drumming workshops with Wooden Roots, bounced through mini trampoline sessions from ((BOUNCE)), and got hands-on with LEGO at the Bix Bricks tent.
Volunteers from Grace Church ran a welcoming play area, Help The Hedgehogs offered awareness and engagement for wildlife protection, and local organisations like RDA Woodbridge added to the day’s sense of purpose.
Food and drink options ranged from gyros to Wagyu burgers, vintage shakes to ice cream vans. The scent of BBQ from the 1st Rendlesham Scouts mingled with the steam of Rendlesham Community Café’s hot drinks. There was something for every appetite and every age.
A Community Effort Worth Celebrating
Events like this simply don’t happen without local effort. Dozens of volunteers took care of everything from marshalling car parks to setting up gazebos, running activities, and packing everything away again afterwards. EA-CAT did a superb job supporting the day, and 10% of parking donations, £300, were given to them as thanks.
Funding came from the Parish Council and local sponsors, with profits supporting long-term community projects including new gym equipment, allotments, and improvements to the local skate park and food garden. It’s a reminder that a day of celebration also carries long-lasting benefits for the village.
Images for the Archive
The full gallery from this year’s show is now available to view at:
As with previous years, these images form part of a long-term project, a growing archive of Suffolk community life, built moment by moment, year by year. It’s a joy to look back and see how faces, traditions, and the park itself evolve over time.
Final Thoughts
Photographing the Rendlesham Show isn’t just another assignment, it’s personal. It’s a celebration of everything I love about photographing community, honest moments, connection, and the sense of belonging that defines rural Suffolk. I’m incredibly grateful to have been asked back for 2026.
If you were there, I hope the photographs bring a smile. If you missed it, I hope they bring the day to life.
Explore the gallery and relive the day:
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