Marlborough Festival Stage Set. Music, comedy, food, drink and entertainment for all ages will take centre stage at this year’s Marlborough Festival.
Running from Friday June 20 to Sunday June 22, the festival takes place around three main venues:
- Priory Gardens
- The Castle & Ball Hotel and
- Marlborough Town Hall.
The Parade Cinema and other local pubs and restaurants are also taking part.
This is the second year of Marlborough Festival. Once again it’s town residents Luke Jackson and Sandra Bhatia behind it. They wanted to bring music back to the town which, in the past,enjoyed regular jazz festivals.
A CIC
Run as a community interest company, Marlborough Festival will build on the success of last year. There’ll be a continuing focus on music, entertainment for all and local food and drink producers.
‘We wanted to continue the theme from last year, of showcasing the best of Marlborough, Wiltshire and the South West. All while offering something that will accommodate everyone in the community’ said Sandra. ‘We want people to come along and join in, because then we can make next year’s even better.
The festival kicks off on Friday June 20, with Hungerford Comedy Club at the Castle & Ball Hotel, who went down a storm at last year’s event.
Events
On Saturday, June 21, there’ll be music at the Priory Gardens in a marquee, headlined by Jay Rayner’s Sextet. Often better known as a food critic, Jay will bring his six-piece band to jazz up the 80s!
There’ll be local food and drink. And, appearing on stage before Jay, will be Gavin Osborn and the Comment Section. They’re followed by The Red Stripe Band and then comes local Sing Space Musical Theatre Choir.
Also during Saturday evening, Castle & Ball Stage supported by BBC Introducing in the West, will showcase new local talent and up and coming performers.
As part of the 80th anniversary celebrations of VE Day, and to honour WWII veterans in Marlborough, a lone RAF Supermarine Spitfire will fly up the length of the high street, on both Saturday and Sunday. Flight times will be confirmed shortly, so keep an eye on the skies!
On Sunday June 22, the Town Hall will run a pop-up cinema, funded by the British Film Institute and Wiltshire Council.
In the morning, there’ll be a screening for families of Kenzuke’s Kingdom, based on Michael Morpurgo’s children’s book.
In the afternoon, there’s a free Big Day Out for older and vulnerable people from the area. There’ll be a screening of Singin’ in the Rain, along with fun activities run by Wiltshire & Swindon Sport, and a high tea provided by the Polly Tea Rooms.
Sandra said: ‘This free event is for older and vulnerable adults in the Marlborough area, living alone and in care homes. We particularly hope to reach adults who wouldn’t tend to consider attending festivals through lack of mobility, or through social isolation.’
Afterwards, The Parade Cinema will be hosting ‘Chill in the Courtyard’ to wrap the festival up.
Also on the Sunday will be a repeat of the popular Big Dog Walk. That’s taking in a circular route from Marlborough Golf Club, beginning at 10am and takes around two hours.
Sandra added: ‘There are several other festivals in Marlborough throughout June. And, even though we are all independent, we’re collectively marketing ourselves as Marlborough Music Month. Marlborough will be the place to be this June!’
Some Marlborough Festival events are ticketed. But some have subsidies and others, like the Big Dog Walk, are free.
For details of how to get tickets and a full programme visit https://www.marlboroughfestival.com/.
