PUMPERS are gearing up for their fundraising event ‘Priming the Pump’ this weekend at the White Horse Country Park, promising fun for all the family, a wide range of music genres and a ceilidh.
Championed by a group of volunteers with strong ties to the Village Pump Festival that announced last year it would not be returning, ‘Priming the Pump’ is a fundraising event with the aim to raise money to kick-start a new festival for next year.
The event will have one stage packed full of music over the three days, with plenty of opportunities to get involved including workshops and open mic sessions.
Taking to the stage will be a number of acts including award-winning and critically acclaimed singer/ songwriter Ben Maggs, who previously played at the Pump Festival. Inspired by wild nature, human nature and the nature of love, Ben’s music is described as enchanting and mesmerising, with songs that will leave your heart tingling.
Ben comes to ‘Priming the Pump’ after supporting Leo Sayer on his UK tour earlier this year.
Joining the line-up is gentle folk-Americana artist Edwina Hayes. Edwina’s charming stage presence and voice of an angel have won her a reputation as a true natural talent.
She has opened numerous shows for Jools Holland and Van Morrison, as well as her own gigs playing stages everywhere from Glastonbury Festival to The Royal Albert Hall. Edwina’s cover of the Randy Newman song ‘Feels Like Home’ was featured in the Cameron Diaz film ‘My Sister’s Keeper’ and has since had over eight million plays on You Tube.
Announced this year as the International Artist of the Year at the Australian Music Awards, Roving Crows come to the fundraiser as the headline act promising a powerful live performance with their unique sound.
Carving out their niche in the UK folk music scene since early 2009, the band has received several awards and achieved national airplay on BBC Radio 2.
For the children attending the event with their parents there will be lots of fun to be had with Kooky Clown and joining him will be Mrs Kooky, who will be offering facepainting over the weekend.
There will also be a raffle, a merchandise stall with T-shirts, CDs and craft items, all on sale to raise funds to get the event on a safe financial footing for the future.
Priming the Pump opens at 12pm on Friday 21st July at the White Horse Country Park, with music starting from 7pm. On Saturday 22nd July and Sunday 23rd July the music starts at 10am in the session tents with music on the main stage starting at 2pm. Tickets for the whole weekend cost £40, with day tickets priced at £25. Camping on the site is free. For more information and to find out where to buy tickets please visit www.primingthepump.co.uk
