The community came together for a packed fortnight of music, comedy, arts and entertainment at this year’s Westbury Festival.
The programme ran from 13th to 26th July and featured events including a Westbury Heritage Society cemetery walk, a talk on the history of the BBC by award-winning comedian and writer Paul Karensa, afternoon tea with the Belle Street Singers and stand-up comedy from former Humberside police sergeant Alfie Moore.
“What a fantastic fortnight it’s been!” said Westbury Festival Committee chair Lisa McGowan. “We’ve loved bringing another memorable festival to Westbury. Thank you so much to the community, because without everybody attending, it just couldn’t happen.”
Lisa said her personal highlights included performances by Big Brass Ska and the Bridgerton-style string quartet in Victoria Garden, as well as events created specifically for local people.
“My other favourite events were things that were done for the community,” she said. “So, things like Frozen for the children and the afternoon tea for the older residents. Those are probably my highlights.”
The Westbury Festival committee consists of around 10 volunteers who meet regularly throughout the year to organise the annual event. Most of the committee members work full time and balance multiple meetings a month with other commitments.
“We start planning it from August, September time, and we meet two or three times a month,” said Lisa. “When we have the festival fortnight, it is a lot of work, but everybody just mucks in. Everyone’s got all their own special talents, and we just crack on a bit really.
“The reason we do it is when we get people who say things like, ‘thank you so much for doing this, I’ve had a wonderful time’ and especially with the older residents when they get to go to free lunchtime concerts and they thank us for it, that’s when it’s really worthwhile.”
Residents interested in becoming part of the festival team for the 2027 event can contact chair@westburyfestival.org.uk.
