THE Westbury Music and Arts Festival kicks off this weekend, promising a busy fortnight of events and activities for all tastes and age groups.
Arts and crafts, jazz, poetry, local history, workshops, popular music and classical music are all part of the festival, which includes over 30 events running from Friday 26th September to Sunday 12th October.
Now in its seventh year, the festival continues to grow and audiences have a host of events to enjoy. What’s more, many of the events are free to attend and most others are under £10.
Chair of Westbury Music & Arts Festival, Ian Cunningham, said, “This is gearing up to be the best WMAF yet. We have a wide variety of entertainment and hope that we have something of interest for everyone. I’m confident that if people look at the programme available they will find something they like.
“I hope to see many people from the area at a number of events to celebrate what is special about the Westbury area – the community.
“We are hoping to include everyone and so are offering transport to those who have difficulty getting out and about whilst some tickets are also being offered to those using food banks so no one is excluded. We have had increasingly generous support from lots of local businesses and the community which is really uplifting. Thank you to all those who support this festival in so many ways.”
Festival entertainment includes a wide variety of music and arts events to suit all tastes and all ages including: Irish folk, classical, country rock, jazz, pop, rock and roll, folk, and swing; a cross-continent gig with local Leander Morales planning to perform in both Westbury USA and Westbury, Wiltshire, on the same day; dining and music; piano and tea; art day; comedy; prize karaoke competition; authors’ talks; poetry open mic; Westbury history talk and Westbury Leigh history walk; a drumming marathon; photography; Westbury Schools’ concert; World War 1 theatre by local people; children’s puppet and magic show; and rhyme time for toddlers.
The Westbury Music and Arts Festival started seven years ago in an initiative between the Westbury Lions and Westbury Rotary. It is now run by an independent committee made up of volunteers, and is a not-for-profit organisation.
The festival aims to bring more events and activities to the Westbury area, as well as showcasing talented local artists.
• To find out more or to book tickets, visit, at www.wmafestival.co.uk (no surcharge) – just go to the event page. Or you can call 0333 666 3366 (£1.50 charge for posting tickets) or at the pop-up box office in person at Town & Country Estates in Westbury High Street (9:30am Thursday-Saturday until 27th September).
