Excitement is building for this year’s Westbury Festival, a two-week celebration of music and arts, which runs from the 15th to 28th July.
With over 35 events, the festival caters for a wide range of interests and tastes, ensuring there’s something for everyone in the community
Co-chair of the festival committee, Ian Cunningham, expressed his excitement about this year’s programme. “As usual I am very proud of the efforts of the hard-working festival committee who have put together another series of great events and I look forward to seeing lots of Westbury folk during the festival,” he said.
“We’re delighted to present such a varied lineup and hope the festival has something to suit everyone – comedy, music, history, literature, children’s events, art, craft and photography and, of course, our secret cinema.
“The speculation that Coldplay were playing in Frome turned out to be just rumours, but we can confirm that we’ve got Jagger at the Westbury Festival!
“Yes, the multi-talented Chris Jagger is performing with his band – an Evening with Chris Jagger at The Laverton on Friday 26 July. Chris will be performing and also hosting a Q & A session and book signing. It’s going to be a great night!
“He’s not the only big name. One of the highlights will be on the 18th July featuring BAFTA nominee and Brit award-winning Nigel Planer.
“He has graced stage, screen and more for decades and is still remembered for his work in the iconic British comedy ‘The Young Ones’ with Rik Mayall and Ade Edmonson.
“For those seeking a blend of comedy and magic without going to Edinburgh, we also have ‘A Bit of the Fringe’ with Colin Hoult and the Great Baldini.
“You’ve probably seen Colin Hoult in ‘Afterlife’ or Ricky Gervais’ ‘Derek’, ‘Life’s Too Short’, ‘This Time with Alan Partridge’, or as a judge on the BBC’s ‘New Comedy Awards’, but unless you were in Edinburgh in 2022 where Colin was nominated for the prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Award, you may not have seen his acclaimed stand-up comedy.
“But you can catch his show at the Festival where he appears with another Fringe favourite, The Great Baldini for a ‘Bit of the Fringe’ on Saturday 20th July. (‘Genius… One of the funniest comedy shows I’ve seen’ ***** The Times).
“Westbury Heritage Society are involved again with talks, walks, a viewing of the Ravilious biopic, Drawn to War, and a drawing event. And the family history society are holding an open day, while Westbury Library are offering a series of events including special festival extra versions of some regular events.
“Award-winning travel writer, Dr Gail Simmons, will be talking about her latest book, Between the Chalk and the Sea.
“We will be running a series of free Secret Cinema films at the Laverton – again under our curious licence that allows us to show the films free of charge as long as we don’t mention the titles – but they are all science fiction, and we have bad clues on the website. And the series ends with a special preview of a feature film from an award-winning local filmmaker, Renfield Unbound. There will also be a small photography exhibition running throughout the festival.
“Musically, in addition to Mr Jagger, we have a Night at the Opera which reviews the art through examples and explanation; the Lucerna Saxophone Quartet; a return of the popular jazz with Dr Zebo in Victoria Gardens; and a lunchtime concert From Brahms to Blues.
“There will also be performances from local performers Concrete Prairie, Frome Street Bandits, Jo-Joe (Joe McGregor) and Alfie Crinion. And we close with a Festival Songs of Praise in All Saints.”
Tickets are now on sale; visit www.westburysfestival.org.uk, visit the Festival Box Office at Southwest Hearing Care on Mondays to Fridays 9am to 5pm at 2 High Street, Westbury, or call 0333 666 4466.
Pictured clockwise from the top left, Chris Jagger, Nigel Planer, the Great Baldini, Lucera Quartet and Colin Hoult
