‘PUMPERS’ old and new travelled from all over the UK to the White Horse Country Park in Westbury for a full weekend of live music from the best musicians and singers from the folk world for this year’s Village Pump Festival.
Festival-goers were not disappointed as the line up boasted a whole host of exciting attractions, including performances by headline act The Proclaimers, female duo O’Hooley and Tidow, Ferocious Dog and Harp and a Monkey, plus workshops, street theatre, open mic sessions and food and drink stalls galore!
Clive Woodland from the village pump team reflects on another successful festival.
“It’s Monday morning. We’re barely awake. Some have been partying long after the main stages closed but our wonderful volunteer team are already dismantling the festival infrastructure. Everyone seems to have really enjoyed themselves over the last few days and we’ve had great responses to the entertainment and general atmosphere across the whole weekend.
“Lots of local people have been here, many for the first time, to join ‘Pumpers’ from all over the country. On Saturday there were last-minute queues at the ticket office as fans came in to see The Proclaimers. The Westbury special price offer through Suave Wine Bar and White Horse Country Park to see the band has been incredibly successful. We hope all the newcomers will come back next year, perhaps for longer and bring friends and family too.
“There have been so many highlights and the weather has been mostly kind. Teams of dancers, street entertainers, colourful stalls and family activities have added to the friendly village-like feel.
“Music, of course, has been great and very varied: it always is. Multiple hit-makers, The Proclaimers were always guaranteed to be a favourite. But then there are all the new discoveries. Many people hadn’t heard of Dublin band Lynched but everyone who saw them was completely won over, while the truly original arrangements of songs of northern working-class life from Harp and a Monkey (yes, they did have a harp, but we’re not sure about the monkey) were another surprise. The official act was Ferocious Dog – loud punk-folk that got people of all ages dancing.
“Perhaps the surprise highlight for many was Mark Radcliffe’s Galleon Blast. Mark’s more well-known day job is as a BBC radio and TV presenter but today he is Cap’n Mark, sitting behind his drum kit, full sail rigged behind him, with a crew of musical pirates, all dressed in dodgy pantomime outfits. The Cap’n gallantly leads them through tales of the sea, smuggling and shipwrecks -oo aarhh! Like so much of the festival, it’s a true blast!”
One first-time festival-goer who was quick to contact the village pump team to sing the festival’s praises said, “What can I say? We had an AWESOME time! Our first camping festival, well apart from years ago at a young age!
“Massive and huge congratulations to you all, what an incredible, wonderful, amazing weekend.
“Thank you to all your team of volunteers. I can only pass on my respect – every single person smiled and joked and made everything fun. I seriously had a good time.
“I also want to thank the guys who worked for Andy Loos. My experience was that every time I visited, whatever loo block, they had loo paper and sanitiser and were in the main clean! No mean feat, so thank you.
“What a wonderful weekend.You guys rock!”
