Westbury Festival, the town’s annual music and arts festival, has reached a grand finale, following a packed two weeks of events and activities.
Festival committee member Brenda Pyne said, “The festival was really fantastic this year, the turnout this year was expected to be low due to the economic turndown; however, everybody that attended had a great time at all the events on offer.”
Local people were treated to an exciting array of music performances and concerts, along with events including talks by TV personalities and authors, a town heritage walk, films and children’s activities.
The Festival kicked off in style with the Wiltshire Chilli Fest, organised by Westbury Town Council on Saturday 24th September with over 3,000 people coming to the town and ended with the Festival Finale show on Saturday night featuring The Great Baldini, as well as original songs from reggae/soul/jazz musician Chloë Rose Laing and a performance from Glastonbury performers Ninotchka, all brought together by compere and host, Leander Morales. To round off the weekend, a special Songs of Praise was held at All Saints’ Church on Sunday.
Brenda added, “I was particularly pleased to see that the talks from Alex Bescoby and Julian Richards were really well attended. I was also heartened to see great events being held in Dilton Marsh, with the Bratton Silver Band and John Mills topping my list of things to see!”
Ian Cunningham, chair of the festival said, “Now that the festival is complete, we get a chance to draw breath. It’s been a lot of work for a small committee with a handful of individuals doing most of the work.
“It’s difficult to choose favourites: as usual the free lunchtime concerts in the church were an interesting mix and the addition of the free afternoon secret cinema proved sufficiently popular that it may continue in the future.
“Our talks were excellent: with Dave Crisp giving a fascinating account of his discovery of the Frome Hoard, Julian Richards talking about 50 years as an archaeologist – many of them on our TV screens as well as giving some brilliant interactive talks to local school children; Alex Bescoby whose series is now on All 4 told us much about what went on behind the scenes; and Westbury Library arranged a fascinating talk about the refugee Mr Prins and special relationship between Bath & Alkmaar.
“The concert given by John Mills’ Serenata Trio was very special. Another highlight of the festival was definitely the Finale in which the ever-inventive Leander Morales of GM3 Music put together a clever and hugely entertaining show featuring Ninotchka, Chloe Rose Laing, Mohammed Errebbaa and the amazing magician, The great Baldini – we advertised it as “a show not to be missed” and I think most of those who didn’t miss it would agree!
“Disappointingly, attendance was down on previous years – I suspect that the tumultuous events a few weeks before made it harder to get out our message and the spectres of cost of living and the resurgence of covid probably didn’t help.
“I would like to thank Westbury Town Council for its financial support – this helps us to provide so much for free or at ticket prices far below the norm. As usual I have to thank the committee of Nin Coles, Radek Evans, Peter Hiscock Debbie Kerfoot, Michael Pearce, Michael Piri-Thorne and John Wheeler. In particular I would like to thank Brenda Pyne without whom the festival simply would not have happened and Michael Pearce who did so much to get and keep the festival running.
“We need to grow the committee with new committed members if this festival is to continue, so if you are interested (NB it is all unpaid) please get in contact: chair@WestburyFestival.org.uk
“And finally I’d like to thank all those people and groups who contributed to the festival and all those who supported events by their attendance.”
