WESTBURY’S first ever music festival will soon take place, with an eclectic mix of musical styles in a variety of locations around the town.
Held across the 25th, 26th and 27th September, the festival will showcase an ABBA tribute band, a mezzo soprano singer from the Ukraine, a Moldovian pianist and a military marching band, not to mention popular Westbury bands and talented pupils from Matravers School.
Organised jointly by Westbury’s Lions and Rotarians, with help from the town council, it is hoped that the festival will become an annual event.
Rotarian Bob Lee said, “The music festival aims to provide something for all musical tastes. It’s a family event.”
Lion Yvonne Hitchinson added, “It’s something that‘s being tried out and hopefully the town will support it. If it’s successful then hopefully we can do more next year.”
On the Saturday there will be an unveiling of stone sculptures in Victoria Gardens, by All Saints Church, before the musical performances begin. The sculptures, of gargoyle-inspired faces, are the work of a local community art project, with the sculptors ranging from 7 -70 years old.
Kate Semple, a sculptor and artist who helped produce the pieces said, “They are excellent work. It shows what people can do even if they haven’t tried it before. Some of the children’s have a naive charm, and then some of the adults’ pieces get more complex. They are all as good as each other.”
For those who buy a ticket for the sculpture unveiling and the subsequent musical performances, The Lopes Arms is offering a two course meal for just £12.95 between 5-7pm that evening.
Jim Heath, Rotary Club president said, “It’s great that the Rotarians and Lions have joined together to promote the event and hopefully we’ll do it again next year.”
Tickets are available from various outlets across the town. See below for details and a full programme.
Programme
FRIDAY 25th September:
Abbatime: Leading ABBA tribute band, direct from Manchester. State of Art Sound & Lighting. Supported by: Westbury’s US2 and MGB at Westbury Country Club’s Blue Circle Bar. Starts at 8.00pm. Admission: £12.50 single – £20.00 double
Tickets available from Westbury Country Club or ticket sales outlets
Military Band Concert: Edington Priory Church, Edington, featuring the Brigade of Rifles Military Band under the direction of Captain M Purvey.
The Band of The Rifles appear by kind permission of The Colonel Commandant of the Rifles, Lt. General N R Parker CBE
Commences at 7.30pm. Admission: £10.00 Tickets available from: Edington Priory Church wardens or ticket sales outlets. A few disabled parking places are available at the church car park, please telephone 01373 302956 before the 20th September to reserve.
SATURDAY 26th September
Town events day: Unveiling of town community sculptures by Matravers pupils, assisted by members of the general public at Victoria Gardens, All Saints churchyard. Commencing at 2.00pm to include a performance by Matravers School young musicians
Westbury All Saints Church: Music of Europe featuring: English organ recital by Stephen Cook; Westbury Choir – Sing Alive conducted by Sian Penlington; Moldavian pianist Nadia Quick; Ukrainian mezzo-soprano singer Nina Alupii Morton. Commences at 7.30pm, admission £10.00. Tickets available from ticket sales outlets
Sunday 27th September
International Guitar Recital at Dilton Marsh Holy Trinity Church. A performance of well known guitar favourites featuring celebrated guitarist John Mills, and from Holland his partner Cobie on their return visit to Dilton Marsh. Commences at 3.30pm. Admission £6.00 Adults – accompanied children free.
TICKET OUTLETS:
Westbury Heritage Centre; Clean Machine, High Street, Westbury; Crowning Glory Hair, Dilton Marsh; Dilton Marsh Arts Trust; Hair Like Silk, Leigh Park, Westbury; Steeple Ashton Community Shop; members of Westbury Lions and Westbury Rotary Clubs; Wessex Books Market Place; Edington Parish Church wardens
Advance information available from: 01373 302956 or Westbury Heritage Centre on 01373 825784.
Information on disabled parking: 01373 302956
