Over the next week contractors, traders and volunteers will transform the White Horse Country Park into a festival site with camping areas, marquees and food outlets as Westbury once again welcomes some of the top names from the folk music world.
Attractions include The Blues Band, led by former Manfred Mann singer Paul Jones; Peter Knight, formerly of Steeleye Span; and Scotland’s Peatbog Faeries.
Village Pump spokesperson, Clive Woodland said, “The whole team is working hard to ensure we live up to our reputation for good music, good company, and good times.
“Unlike mammoth festivals such as Glastonbury and Womad, all of the Pump’s stages are under cover and the site is compact, so you don’t have to walk miles from your car or tent. Everyone who has played here says it’s one of the friendliest and most well-organised festivals they know.
“We talked to our Pumpers last year and have acted on their suggestions so the Village Pump stage will have extra fixed seating capacity and we’ve added another large performance area – the White Horse Stage – which will also provide extra shelter from the elements. Tickets are selling well and we’re hoping for even more festival-goers than last year.
“Campers can grab their pitches from mid-day on Thursday. There’s a late night party in the White Horse Golf club house then and every night. The main arena opens at noon on Friday and the main stages at 8.00pm to allow people time to get here after work, but there will be plenty to see and do at all times.
“Early activities include entertainment in the bar where performers will play informal and unamplified sets. Paul Darby’s nature ramble is a must for budding Chris Packhams and their parents. Musicians can head for the sessions tent where they can join others to make their own music. The Club Stage will feature singers and musicians from local folk clubs. Later in the weekend, Milverton Club and Lost Horizons Club from London will host their own shows.
“Friday night headliners on the two main stages include festival patron Steve Knightley, Irish country rock band The Cabin Collective with members of the Saw Doctors, and Scotland’s Peatbog Faeries. Saturday sees The Blues Band, Eliza Carthy, Vin Garbutt and Three Daft Monkeys among the main attractions; while on Sunday Seth Lakeman, Martin Simpson and Brass Monkey are just some of the acts you can see. Every night you can join the ceilidhs, dancing to some of the country’s top bands.
“Action on the main stages on Saturday and Sunday starts at lunchtime but before then yoga, tai chi, Nia, the Village Pump Choir, and a folk quiz are part of the fun. The family tent features clowns and entertainers, games and craft activities. And at any time you are likely to meet up with street entertainers, buskers, dance teams and people in weird outfits.
“Closeness between fans and audience is something the Pump prides itself on. There is no lavish backstage catering for “stars” so you’re quite likely to find yourself chatting in a queue for noodles or a cappuccino with Martin Carthy or Seth Lakeman.
“For the first time, organisers have arranged ‘meet the artist’ events where festival-goers will be able to join question and answer sessions to gain insights into the lives of working musicians including Steve Knightley, Michael Chapman and former Steeleye Span fiddle player Peter Knight.
“There also will be the ever-popular workshops including sessions with bluesman Kevin Brown and singer-songwriter Sarah McQuaid, who will demonstrate their guitar styles and tunings. Other opportunities to have a go include drumming and spoon-playing!
“I’ve been part of the festival since it moved to Westbury and what I love about it is that we’re just a bunch of mates putting on an event that we’d like to go to and bring our families and friends to. No-one on the organising committee gets paid and everyone helps with building the site, publicising the event, helping the punters. We do it just for fun and because we love the music. And it’s great to see people enjoying themselves and think, ‘We did that’!”
Full details of the festival can be found at www.villagepumpfolkfestival.co.uk
