THIS year’s Westbury Music and Arts Festival ended on a high note with the Opus One Swing Band, and the committee will shortly start preparing for next year’s event. 

Events over the two weeks of the festival included arts and crafts, jazz, poetry, local history, workshops, popular and classical music, and much more.

Festival chair Roy Inwood said, “This year’s festival has been a big success with more people turning up at events, more than previous years.

“The musicians, singers and choirs were really excellent, you would probably go a long way to find better talent.

“All the committee played their part in producing the events that took place, and put in a lot of hard work behind the scenes over the last year making sure the festival ran smoothly, and I would like to thank them for this.

“There will now be a short break before we start preparing for next year’s festival. If there is anybody interested in joining the committee or helping next year, we would be only too pleased to hear from you – ring me on 01373 864 364.

A busy fortnight

Roy said, “There are so many people to thank, such as the artistes, the people who run the venues, helpers, printers such as Fine Signs, Heron Press and Stationery Plus, the publishing by Gill Bright, all the schools who have taken part in one way or another (such as Dilton Marsh Primary, Westbury Infants, Westbury Leigh Primary, Bitham Brook and Matravers performing at the Children’s Choral Concert which was a huge success with  the hall full of people).

“Imber 70th Anniversary Commemorative Service at Edington Priory Church was an excellent service which brought tears to a lot of people’s eyes. It was all recorded by BBC Wiltshire and went out on radio the following day.

“There are still commemorative booklets to mark the anniversary on sale at the Heritage Centre in Westbury High Street.

“The library in Westbury supported us well with their display of Imber and their poetry and talk by author Dr Hooper on the story of Jane Austen.

“Steve Hobbs ran a history walk, where 50 people turned up to listen to his talk on the history of Westbury, finished off by tea and coffee in the Parish Hall.

“The old firm favourites Finnegans Wake appeared at the Laverton performing at their best in front of a full house. Also at the Laverton we had Lee Ingram Jazz and one of the best shows I have seen locally put on by Leander Morales, with Luke Concannon, Sam Kelly, Jimmy Davis, Himself with Danielle Reed and Wildwood Kin.

“There was the Bristol String Quartet at the Methodist Church who performed magnificently with popular tunes and a piece by our local man Stephen Miles.

“The Cook and Cooke organists performed an organ recital at All Saints Church, then on the Friday Bratton Silver Band performed at All Saints Church, raising money for their charity this year Motor Neurone Disease Association, which at various events we raised £651.74 to give them.

“Finally on Sunday was the last event, being The Opus One Swing Band – a lot of people’s favourites – at the Paragon, which was well attended.”