All-star line-up at Westbury’s Village Pump Folk Festival

“GOOD music, good company and good times” – those are the promises of The Village Pump Folk Festival which returns to  the White Horse Country Park, Westbury, for the weekend of  26th-28th July.

Steeleye Span, The Proclaimers, Kate Rusby, Eric Bibb, Steve Knightley and Phil Beer (who are also festival patrons) the Tannahill Weavers, Coope Boyes and Simpson and the legendary Nic Jones are among the acts who will appear over the weekend.  Tickets for the event are selling well with almost as many sold already as by the end of last year’s festival, with some orders from as far as the USA and New Zealand.  An extra camping field has been set aside to accommodate the expected extra numbers.

Organisers are particularly delighted that  Nic Jones  – BBC Folk Singer of the Year – will be performing. Nic recently returned to the stage after the terrible car crash that put an end to his solo career,  and he has chosen the Pump Festival for one of a handful of appearances this year.  He will be joined by his son, Joe, and Belinda O’ Hooley.   Add into the mix Richard Shindell, Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman, Martyn Joseph, Spooky Men’s Chorale, Little Jonny England, Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin, Megson, Hungrytown, Roving Crows, Reg Meuross, Mad Dog McCrae, Tom Palmer, Jenna Witts, Keith Christmas, Mabon and the Merv Grist Players – not to mention the cream of talent from the folk clubs in the area – and you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Unlike many other festivals, the Pump does not have big corporate backers, although some local businesses have become sponsors this year and festival director John Alderslade says anyone who wants to throw money in the committee’s direction is welcome to do so!  Among these is the Frome-based centre of all guitar-related matters Guitarbitz, who are sponsoring the Guitarbitz Stage where the cream of acts from local folk clubs will play, as well as a session of Leytonstone folk club. “None of the organisers makes any money for themselves.  We put on an event that we would like to come to with our family and friends and that seems to work,” says John.

The new site proved a big hit last year and the aim has again been to create a festival that is small enough to be friendly, but with a great line-up and attractions. Both camping fields are a very short flat walk from the festival arena.  The Country Park clubhouse boasts indoor concert hall, toilets, bar and restaurant.  There will be three stages as well as ceilidhs, workshops, real ales, a sessions tent,  activities and entertainment for the whole family in the family tent, dance teams and street entertainers.

With its move to Westbury, the Pump returned to its roots as a folk festival. However, acts such as  Steeleye Span and the Proclaimers are popular beyond a purely folk audience. The great thing about festivals is that you go to see the acts you love, but always discover someone new that you just might love as much!

Prices include camping, with no extra charge for camper vans.  Weekend tickets are £110, free for children under 10 and half price for accompanied children aged 10 -17.  Day tickets are also available. For full details and line-up see www.villagepumpfolk festival.co.uk Tickets can be bought in person from the Trowbridge Tourist Information Office or the White Horse Country Park.