A PACKED schedule of music, arts and entertainment events is still to take place in the town as Westbury Festival gets underway.
The festival began on Monday 13th July and will run until Sunday 26th July. Three events, including the heritage society cemetery walk, afternoon tea with the Belle Street Singers and the Alfie Moore comedy show, are now sold out, but there are tickets available for other acts.
“Westbury Festival is now underway, and the support we’ve received has been amazing,” said festival chair Lisa McGowan. “A huge thank you to everyone who has bought tickets, our wonderful volunteers who have worked so hard behind the scenes, our local businesses for their support, and everyone who has helped make the festival such a community effort.
“A special thank you also to Westbury Town Council for its community grant, which has helped make this year’s festival possible.
“We’ve loved hearing so many compliments about how beautiful the town looks, with the colourful bunting created by the Westbury Yarn Bombers adding to the festival atmosphere.
“We’d encourage people to book ahead to avoid disappointment. Highlights still to come include the pilot of Future Sounds of Westbury, top comedian and historian Paul Karensa, and a magical Bridgerton-style evening with the Dulcet Quartet in the beautiful grounds of Victoria Garden.”
Tickets
Tickets can be bought online at https://www.westburyfestival.org.uk/ or in person at South West Hearing Care on the High Street, the Festival’s official box office.
Visitors can purchase festival tickets directly between 9am-5pm Monday-Friday, providing a convenient option for those who prefer a face-to-face service.
Simon Swindells, owner and Lead Audiologist at South West Hearing Care, said, “We’re really pleased to be supporting the Westbury Festival once again. It’s a fantastic event that brings the whole community together and showcases everything that’s great about our town.
“As a local independent business, we believe it’s important to support community events wherever we can. Being the festival’s official box office gives us another opportunity to welcome both familiar and new faces into the practice, while helping people enjoy everything the festival has to offer.”
For more information about events and the full programme, visit the festival website or see the listing below.
Upcoming events:
Thursday 16th July
Celia Waghorn & Tony James
1:00pm – 1:45pm
Celia will be playing an eclectic selection of pieces on flute and piccolo, accompanied by pianist Tony James. All Saints Church. Free.
Hit The Road, Jac! 7 Years. 20 Countries. No Plan!
3:00pm – 5:00pm
When most people are thinking about topping up their pensions, turning their attention to gardening or a new hobby, former nurse and health visitor Jacqui Furneaux bought a one-way ticket to Bangkok. Inspired by a young Dutch motorcycle traveller she met in India, for her 50th birthday, she bought her own Royal Enfield motorcycle and, quite unintentionally, spent the next 7 years riding it home through 20 countries. United Reform Church. £5.
Mrs Churchill – My Life With Winston
7:30pm – 10:00pm
Sir Winston Churchill was recently voted No. 1 in the top 100 Britons of all time by a nationwide poll of over a million voters. His inspirational leadership helped win the Second World War, and his parliamentary career ensure that he was responsible for many of the momentous decisions which helped shape this ‘sceptred isle’. They say that behind every great man, there is a great woman. Was this true in Churchill’s case? What of Clementine, his wife for 56 years? Did he bully her like he did so many other people? Was he as grumpy and irascible at home as he often was in the House of Commons? Did Clem have any influence on him at all? Or was she the ‘little lady at home’? All these questions will be answered, and many more, in Liz Grand’s superb, moving, sensitive and informative portrayal of Clementine Churchill. Westbury Leigh Community Centre. £12.
Friday 17th July
Rhyme Time
10:00am – 10:30am
For babies and toddlers (ages 0-5). Westbury Library. Free.
Sloejam
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Feel-good music, mostly taken from the American tradition. With 9 members, playing a wide range of instruments, the band frequently performs at local care homes and for charitable causes. All Saints’ Church. Free.
Night At The Opera – Richard Stark
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Richard brings a Night At The Opera to Westbury, with a selection of classical operatic numbers, along with talks about the operas and characters, anecdotes and props. This eclectic singer is an experienced performer covering a range of styles from classical to swing to folk to pop. Chantry Court. £5.
What Wood Victoria Do?
7:30pm – 10:00pm
How on earth have we all survived the past decade of modern living without Victoria Wood’s observational wit and wisdom? What would she make of an air fryer? The Repair Shop? K-Pop Demon Hunters? Paulus The Cabaret Geek is on hand to help us find answers. From the creators behind the critically acclaimed Looking For Me Friend comes “What Wood Victoria Do?”, a brand new show that takes an even deeper dive into the world of Wood. Directed by the multi-award-winning Sarah-Louise Young (An Evening Without Kate Bush) this is a show not to be missed. So come and get your second helping of music, mirth and macaroons! The Laverton. £12.
Saturday 18th July
Frozen Film Singalong
10:00am – 12:00pm
Join us for a magical Frozen Singalong at The Laverton! Follow the bouncing snowflake with on-screen lyrics as we sing along to all your favourite songs from Disney’s Frozen. Enjoy a special appearance from an Ice Princess, plus every child will receive a FREE ice cream! Dressing up as your favourite Frozen character is optional. Get ready for a fun-filled morning of music, magic, and icy adventures! The Laverton. £3.
Brick Creators Club
10:00am – 11:00am
Drop in any time, and build (ages 4-11).
Westbury Library. Free.
Fearless & Fun Art Workshop
10:00am – 12:00pm
Come and try Abstract Realism Painting. A relaxed, fun introduction to painting – perfect for beginners. You’ll explore colour, build confidence with your brush, and create your own unique canvas to take home No experience necessary All materials provided! Book directly with Kim info@fearlessandfunart.co.uk Telephone: 07921 805008. Haynes House, Warminster Road. £25.
Indian Head Massage Workshop
10:00am – 1:00pm
Come and learn a simple but effective massage routine for the upper back, neck and scalp, great for relieving stress and tension. The workshop is run by Christine Browne. www.facebook.com/christinebrownecomplementarytherapy; 01793 706794. Westbury Leigh Community Centre. £18.
West Wilts Youth Sailing Club Open Day
10:00am – 3:00pm
West Wiltshire Youth Sailing Association invites you to a fantastic Family Fun Day, packed with activities on and around the water, with opportunities to try sailing, paddleboarding, raft building and plenty of other watery challenges in a safe and friendly environment. Whether you’re a complete beginner or already love being on the water, there’s something for all ages to enjoy. A lunchtime barbecue will also be available by pre-booking. To book your place visit wwysa.org.uk for more information. Westbury Lake. £10 (under 8’s free).
Heritage Society Cemetery Walk
2:00pm – 3:30pm
Historian Liz Argent will be tracing the origins of the cemetery which opened on Bratton Road in May 1857. The tour will take in graves of interest through to the history of the three family mausolea, the chapels and the lodge. “The cemetery is the last resting place of thousands of Westbury people and holds a wealth of local history,” explained Liz who chairs the heritage society which runs the town’s museum. “This should be a fascinating guided walk” Tickets are limited so pre-book to avoid disappointment. Meet at the entrance to the cemetery. £5.
Family History Open Day
2:00pm – 4:00pm
There will be a help desk and short presentations on how to get started researching your family tree. Members will be available to offer help and advice, with a display of work undertaken by the group researching places and people who lived and
worked in Westbury. Tea and coffee available. Westbury Methodist Church. Free.
Sound Bath
2:00pm – 3:00pm
Relax, restore, rebalance. Try a deeply relaxing Reiki-infused sound bath. Let the soothing sounds and gentle vibrations help calm your mind, ease tension and restore your natural balance. Westbury Leigh Community Centre. £10.
Moscow Drug Club
8:00pm – 10:30pm
Combining their original material with songs by the likes of Jaques Brel, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits & Eartha Kitt, Moscow Drug Club provide an intoxicating & intimate musical experience as you enter the darkly comic world of Moscow Drug Club…..this way please & mind the stairs! The Laverton. £12.
Sunday 19th July
Pagoda Project
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Pagoda Project unites three standout UK artists – accordionist/composer/educator Paul Hutchinson, clarinettist/bass clarinettist Karen Wimhurst, and fiddle-singer Hannah Cumming. “This might be as good as small scale modern English Folk Music performance ever gets….” Bratton Village Hall. £10.
Monday 20th July
Eclectic Collection: Celia Waghorn, Tony James & Alphonso Archer
1:00pm – 1:45pm
Celia Waghorn, Tony James and Alfonso Archer play a selection of English pieces for flute/piccolo and piano, plus Columbian, jazz and classic favourites for flute and guitar. Chantry Court. Free.
Knit And Natter
2:30pm – 3:30pm
Join us at Westbury Library for an hour of knitting, crochet and conversation (ages 18+). Westbury Library. Free.
Tuesday 21st July
Rhyme Time
10:00am – 10:30am
For babies and toddlers (ages 0-5). Westbury Library. Free.
Hilperton Recorder Players
2:00pm – 2:45pm
Local group Hilperton Recorder Players will play a lunchtime concert at Chantry Court for all to enjoy No need to book, just turn up and enjoy some lovely music! Chantry Court. Free.
The History Of Leighton House
7:30pm
Known locally for his tours of Leighton House and its estate, Andrew is a former assessor at the Army Officer Selection Board which has long resided there. In his talk he will cover both the history of the house and estate as well as offer a broad outline of the officer selection processes that prospective candidates go through in order to achieve admission to the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. United Reform Church. £5.
Wednesday 22nd July
Dulcet Quartet – A ‘Bridgerton’ Style Event
7:30pm – 9:00pm
An evening of contemporary popular tunes performed in the string quartet “Bridgerton” style, in the verdant surroundings of Victoria Gardens. The Dulcet Quartet are a collection of young and lively musicians who perform in the south west, combining a classical and more modern style. Bring a folding chair or a picnic blanket. In the event of poor weather the event will be moved inside All Saints’ Church. Victoria Gardens. £7.
Future Sound Of Westbury
7:30pm
Calling all young people who want to see and be involved in promoting young local bands in the future. This is a pilot session of the Westbury Area Board-funded project. First session is free. Watch the Festival website for a line-up announcement!! The Crown, The Market Place. Free.
Thursday 23rd July
Incognito
2:00pm – 3:00pm
‘Incognito’ net on a simple surveillance job. By an amazing coincidence they had all chosen similar disguises and hid behind the same bush! There they discovered their shared appreciation of American and Irish traditional music. The rest is history. Chantry Court. Free.
Westbury Area Family History Group Meeting
7:00pm – 9:00pm
With the theme, ‘How to build on you initial family research’ following on from the 18th July Open Day theme of ‘How to get started on your family tree research’. Our speakers will be members of our group who have years of experience. Westbury Methodist Church. Free.
An Evening Of (Very) Old Radio: The Bbc Then And Now
7:45 pm
Written and performed by comedian, British Comedy Award-winning writer (Miranda, Not Going Out, Top Gear, Radio 2) and broadcast historian Paul Kerensa, this stand-up history show brings to life the BBC origin story via clips, props, tales and new research revealing under-heralded pioneers – especially forgotten women – who began the genres we know and love. Covering tales from radio’s first music, drama, comedy and sport to behind the scenes of today’s radio and TV, via a century of Proms, Pips, Ships, Monarchs, Archers, Goons, Pythons, Doctors, Traitors and more. Westbury Leigh Community Centre.
‘Festival Special’ Tea and Chat
2:30pm – 3:30pm
For grown-ups. Westbury Library. Free.
Friday 24th July
Rhyme Time
10:00am – 10:30am
For babies and toddlers (ages 0-5). Westbury Library. Free.
Rock The Tots
11:00am – 12:00pm
Rock The Tots run fun and fabulous music events for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers designed to inspire, entertain and burn of some excess energy! Grassacres Hall. Free.
Flatwater
2:00pm – 4:00pm
Fiddle, concertina, mandolin and guitar – a mix of tunes from UK, America and Europe, and maybe a song or two! Chantry Court. Free.
Big Brass Ska
7:30pm – 10:00pm
Voted Best Popular Music Act at Shaftesbury Fringe Festival 2024, Big Brass Ska is one of the most popular ska acts in the South West. Their stage show includes songs made famous by Bad Manners, Madness and The Specials, classics from the era of The Pioneers & Prince Buster and a sprinkling of punk-influenced tracks from the likes of Rancid and Reel Big Fish. High energy vocals, a driving rhythm section & a powerful horn line-up are what gives that unique Big Brass Ska heavy monster sound! The Laverton. £12.
Saturday 25th July
Brick Creators Club
10:00am – 11:00am
Drop in any time, and build (ages 4-11).
Westbury Library. Free.
Alfie Moore
7:30pm – 10:00pm
Alfie Moore: Fair Cop Radio Warm-Up – live stand-up comedy! Former Humberside police sergeant Alfie Moore and star of BBC Radio 4 hit comedy show: ‘It’s A Fair Cop’, gives a fun-filled evening, ahead of recording his latest radio series. Alfie playfully challenges the ‘audience cops’ to say what they would’ve done in a real case scenario – with often unexpected and entertaining results! Why not come along, join in and find out what sort of cop you’d make?! It’d be a crime to miss it! “Brilliantly funny… genuinely hilarious” – David Mitchell. The Laverton. £15.
Sunday 26th July
Sunday Brunch
1:00pm – 4:00pm.
High Street,
Westbury. Free.
Songs Of Praise
6:00pm – 7:00pm
Come along and enjoy singing some your favourite hymns in our beautiful church. Afterwards, wine/juice and cheese/nibbles will be served. All Saints’ Church. Free.
