THE programme for this year’s Westbury Festival is packed with events for both music and art lovers and tickets are already selling well.
The annual music and arts festival which is now in its 10th year, will run from Friday 22nd September to Saturday 7th October.
Already the festival has announced that headlining the festival are 60’s pop group The Bachelors, now referred to as, Bachelors – Con & Dec and tickets are selling quickly.
Speaking about this year’s packed programme, Festival Chair, Ian Cunningham said, “Everything is coming together nicely and we have almost 50 events for this year’s festival. We have great events going on that should appeal to lots of different peoples tastes. The committee is really looking forward to it all starting.”
Below are some of the highlights of this year’s festival.
Fairfield Farm College host its usual Afternoon Tea event on Tuesday 26th September, the event now being a festival tradition.
Each year the young people and staff lay on a generous and impressive buffet tea, but this year the event has something a little different: as you sit at your tables and enjoy your tea selections, professional magician, Jayne Corrigan, will be passing amongst you with her baffling close-up magic.
Are you a closet jigsaw puzzler? Then why not drop by the Lions’ bookshop on Thursday 28th September and while away some time puzzling your way through the extra large jigsaws on display. You can spend as much or as little time as you want and why not bring the children too, they can help with the puzzles or try their hand at colouring in some of the giant posters.
Marc Allum & His Band will play at The Hollies on Friday 29th September. Many of you will know Marc Allum very well but perhaps not for playing music. He has appeared as an expert on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow since 1998, covering miscellaneous items.
But when not looking for finds with the roadshow his other passion in his music. Marc (bass guitar) and his band play blues/rock/folk.
Once again this year, the festival welcomes back musical trio, Va-Riotous, who will be presenting ‘Gullible’s Travels’ on Sunday 1st October, to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the birth of author Jonathan Swift.
It is a slightly inaccurate, tongue-in-cheek retelling in words and music of Swift’s epic tale of adventure bearing a similar title. The narrated storyline is illustrated with a wide mix of well-known musical pieces, prom opera and musical theatre to jazz and popular standards. Tickets £4/£8.
Spend an Evening with the Old Bill on Tuesday 3rd October at the Methodist Church.
The evening will begin with a short presentation by local historian Ward Jones, who has been looking into the history of the police in Westbury. Then after a short break you will be entertained by the Wiltshire Police band who will be playing a varied programme of music. Tickets cost £4.
Put your nerve to the test on Wednesday 4th October with a Ghost Walk around Westbury town centre lead by expert Morticia Ghoul. The walk finishes at the Horse & Groom pub where you can settle your nerves with a drink or finish up the evening with a ghostly film, Blithe Spirit in the Alley Film Club. Tickets £6 for both events or £3 separately.
Acclaimed singer/songwriter, Louise Jordan, brings to the Festival the stories of remarkable women of the First World War through song on Thursday 5th October.
These songs recognise the extraordinary and inspirational achievements of women working in many spheres. From the women footballers who kept the sport alive during the First World War to the aspiring teenage journalist who dressed as a soldier and travelled to the Western Front on a bicycle, the women who risked their lives to treat the wounded yards from the German Front Line, an inventor and engineer, a master spy and the women who made the weapons of war.
Louise will be running a workshop ahead of the performance to teach members of the community some choruses / harmonies so that they can join in. Come along at 5.30 pm and have a sing-a-long! However, it isn’t obligatory, if you want to just sit back and enjoy the show, come along at 7.30 pm.
This year’s festival will end with a bang(er)! Come and laugh your socks off at an evening of fun and laughter with members of the Submarine Comedy Club and enjoy a rib-tickling meal of bangers and mash to go with it. Vegetarian option available. Tickets £15.
Find out about all the other events at www.westburyfestival.org.uk
