RickFest returns Westbury

CHARITY music festival RickFest is being held in Westbury this year, the hometown of its namesake Rick Mills.

It will be an all-day music event in Westbury’s Paragon Hall this October, with a number of bands and headlining blues guitarist Larry Miller.

RickFest was set up in 2012 by Phillip and Jayne Abbott, in memory of Jayne’s son Rick, who died aged 19 in 2002. Before his death, Rick spent a lot of time in hospital following an accident abroad, which inspired the couple to put on the festival in aid of Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity. Rainbow Trust, for whom Jayne works as a support worker in Swindon, offer help to families of children with terminal illnesses.

Last year’s RickFest, which raised £1,000 for the charity, was held at Lime Tree Farm in Kingston Langley, but the family felt it belonged in Westbury.

Phillip said, “The event in Kingston Langley was great, but we wanted to bring it to Westbury. We’re all Westbury people and Rick was a Westbury lad, so it feels right to have it here.”

The event has also been scaled down this year as Phillip and Jayne have organised it all themselves. Phillip said, “When we started organising RickFest it was a lot harder than we expected; it’s not the rose-tinted idea you get from going to them, and there’s a lot of red tape. However, it’s been much more stress-free this year with a smaller event put on by just me and Jayne. It feels a lot more personal. We’d love for it to   progress in the future. The idea’s ingrained in me now; it’s in my blood and gives me a real sense of purpose.”

Phillip and Jayne would like to give special thanks to Cooper Tires for their continued support, and to Ken Newson for the loan of the hall.

They are also on the lookout for sponsorship from local businesses or residents, to contribute to the costs of running the event. If you would like to get involved with their cause, contact abbos1960@yahoo.co.uk.

RickFest will be held at Westbury Paragon Hall on Saturday 25th October from 12.00pm to 12.30am. There will be eight bands and food and drink available. Tickets are £10 in advance or £12 on the door, and can be bought online or at Westbury Labour Club and Westbury Information Centre.

Go to www.rickfest.org for more information, or find them on Facebook.

There will also be a fundraising Zumba evening at The Laverton on Friday 12th September. Contact Debbie Bailey on 07941 112893.

Pictured: Jayne and Phillip at last year’s RickFest.