Westbury Music & Arts Festival receives grant

WESTBURY Music & Arts Festival is just four weeks away, and is celebrating being awarded a £5,000 grant from national funding body, the UK Arts Council.

The festival, which is in its seventh year, will begin with an opening concert on Friday 26th September, followed by 16 days of music, art and talks.

The grant for £5,000 was awarded earlier this month to help with the festival’s running costs. Festival chair, Ian Cunningham, was delighted saying, “With the UK Arts Council’s seal of approval Westbury looks set to get its biggest and best ever music and arts festival.

“Not only does this give us some important funding for current projects and helps to ensure the long-term sustainability of the festival, but it is also an encouraging recognition of the efforts of the group over the years.”

Venues around the town will be in use throughout the festival, including the Laverton, Westbury Library, All Saints’ Church and West End Baptist Chapel. There will be performances from returning favourites Finnegan’s Wake and Opus One Swing Band, as well as from local artists Sandy Ince, the Cleyhill Stompers, and Leander Morales, plus many more.

Those in search of something other than music won’t be disappointed either. There will be a puppet and magic show and ‘festival rhyme time’ for the children, talks and local art, and drumming workshops and open mic sessions for those wanting to get involved.

Ian said, “There is something for everyone and many of the events are free, so we really hope as many people as possible will join in and support this popular community event.”

The festival is also supported by Westbury Area Board, the town council, and local companies including HPH, Hills Group, Elkins Ford, Co-operative Funeral Care, Henleys Medical Supplies, Wilsons and Xylobands.

Find out more on the festival website at www.wmafestival.co.uk.

Tickets are now on sale online, by calling  0333 666 3366 or from the festival box office at Town & Country estate agents in Westbury High Street,  9.30am to 2.00pm Thursday-Saturday during September.