The stage is set for the first Malmesbury Folk & Roots Festival and tickets are on sale! And what’s more, fans from across the region look set to arrive in the Wiltshire market town to see some of the genre’s best-loved acts.
Malmesbury Folk & Roots Festival – Fly Yeti Fly
Location, location, location
The Malmesbury Folk & Roots Festival is being staged on Saturday September 23 in Malmesbury Abbey Cloister Gardens. It’s timing ties in with the inauguralEuropean Folk Day.
Supported by Malmesbury Town Council, it’s on course to becoming an annual highlight of the folk music calendar. Organisers are hoping for a capacity crowd of 450 plus.
‘I’m so excited Malmesbury is celebrating the inaugural European Folk Music Day with our first ever one day Folk & Roots festival of traditional music and dance,’ said Malmesbury Mayor, Cllr Gavin Grant.
It promises to be a terrific event with its beautiful cloister gardens setting. There’s a great line up of musicians, local talent showcase, food stalls and bar, and raising funds for my Mayoral good causes. I hope it will become an annual fixture in Malmesbury’s events calendar.’
Behind the scenes
Town resident Catherine Burke is organising the event. Catherine is a folk music lover who runs the annual, world-renowned Purbeck Valley Folk Festival.
Catherine has booked some big names for the stage, including Martha Tilson, Old Baby Mackerel and Wiltshire band Fly Yeti Fly. Headlining is 3 Daft Monkeys. She said the festival would offer something for everyone to enjoy.
‘People sometimes have an idea of what folk music is, but it’s much broader. Ed Sheeran is a man with a guitar, storytelling, and to me that’s folk music. We’ve called the festival ‘folk and roots’, to show we have a wide variety.
Opa Rosa is an upbeat Balkan band
Old Baby Mackerel are bluegrass – so think Dukes of Hazzard.
And Martha Tilson plays very laid back, chilled music.
Everyone will enjoy it.’
As part of the festival, Morris dancers will perform at different places around the town. And local cafes, shops and restaurants are getting ready for a busy day. Burton Hill campsite is offering a discount to festival-goers.
Musician Stephen Kearney, director of MusicLan Studios and European Folk Network member, is also getting involved.
‘There was never a better time to celebrate the incredible musical diversity and cultures of Europe,’ he said. ‘The traditional arts are an essential element of European cultural identity and diversity. They are a source of wealth in every sense of the word. There are millions of us who work, create and are active participants in this fundamental element of our culture. I’m delighted that the Mayor of Malmesbury has embraced that and mobilised the town’s people so effectively.’
Tickets etc
Malmesbury Folk & Roots runs from 1.30pm to 10.30pm.
Chris Hunt Skelley Chases Gold. Chris Hunt Skelley MBE, who won gold in his sport of judo at Tokyo2020 has taken his next steps towards Paris2024. By winning silver at the inaugural European Para Championships he’s achieved exactly that.
The 30-year-old fought hard throughout the competition in Rotterdam in the Netherlands. He lost out on gold by a narrow margin, in a match against a fellow competitor from Georgia in the +90kg class.
Chris said: ‘The European Para Championshipswas an incredible experience. It was like a mini-Tokyo. It was so special to have all the different types of sport there and to feel the kind of atmosphere that it will be like, I trust, in Paris 2024.
Chris Hunt Skelley Chases Gold – Chris Hunt Skelley MBE who won silver in the European Para Championships. At time of writing he is ranked World No 1 in his sport.
An honour
Said Chris: ‘It was such an honour to represent Great Britain again. It was the best feeling ever to step on that mark knowing that you’re representing new friends and new family. It’s amazing to be able to show the world how disability sport is going to take over.
‘It’s wonderful to be alongside all these fantastic athletes. The Paralympic Games, paralympic sport in general, is here to take over the world. It will show what you can do even if you have a disability. Disability is your superpower.’
The event involves 1,500 paralympic athletes from 45 countries competing across ten different para sports.
Visually impaired Chris took gold at Toky02020 in judo. He’s training hard to qualify for Paris2024 to go for gold again. He took up the sport at an elite level after being discovered competing in judo while wearing a blindfold.
blindfolded. And winning against sighted competitors.
Chris received a diagnosis of ocular albinism at the age of nineteen. That meant he had to abandon his apprenticeship as a mechanic and had to give up team sport. But he persevered through his passion for judo and that led to the spotting of his potential as a paralympian.
Since then he’s been competing in major championships across the globe representing Great Britain. He’s the world’s leading Judoka with a visual impairment.
Welcome to the Wyvern Summer Youth Project 2023. And they’ve gone and done it again! This year’s SYP2023 is, as they always are, joyful and wonderful. There are still tickets for tonight and tomorrow – do yourself a favour and go!
I’ve seen a fair number of summer youth project performances over the years. They’re always a joy and have become one of the highlights of my year. And last night’s performance of The Wizard of Oz was no exception to this.
Somewhere in the region of 150 wonderful young people gave the audience of mums, dads, grandmas, aunts etc, a terrific theatrical treat. One that they’d so clearly put their all into.
I’m ever in awe that everyone involved in this project gets it staged, from start to finish, in about a week. It’s simply marvellous.
The Principals
Not always helped by less-than-great amplification at times, Dorothy, the tin man, the scarecrow and the lion, were all fabulous. They danced well, they sang well – it was all well!
Bethany Tunley sure looked the part as Dorothy and she danced, sang and acted her little socks off. But I did struggle to hear her at times – and I’d even remembered to wear my hearing aids! But I fear the fault may well not be hers. And if I could have the ruby slippers when she’s finished with them that would be wonderful. What size are they?
I loved the tin man’s moves – once he’d been oiled. He was great. But I must give special mention to the two young people playing the scarecrow and the cowardly lion. They both had brilliant voices. Such a lot of talent!
It has to be said, this is a show that really needs the excellent ensemble. What with munchkins, citizens of Oz, the poppies and more, the WoO has crowd scenes galore. So that’s a win. Well done to each and every one of them.
Backstage
And of course the talent isn’t restricted to the players. Those responsible for the set design, props, choreography, costumes etc, etc all deserve a mention in despatches. Though a wee complaint – I’m pretty sure the left hand of the auditorium got a bigger share of the bubbles when Glinda appeared. Harrumph. Rationed bubbles aside, I loved the witty wee touches of the tiny wicked witch and hot air balloon being winched across the auditorium over our heads.
Wyvern Summer Youth Project 2023
So what are you waiting for? If you’re at a loose end tonight or tomorrow eschew Netflix and get on the yellow brick road and go and see this lovely, life-affirming show instead.
The Wizard of Oz, is an American musical film, released in 1939, based on the book of the same name by L. Frank Baum. Though not an immediate financial or critical success, it became one of the most enduring family films of all time.
Cue tornadoes, witches, munchkins, ruby slippers and a wizard that’s not at all what he/she/it is cracked up to be! An excellent metaphor for our government. #JustSaying
This entry in the blog’s Swindon in 50 More Buildings series features Radnor Street Chapel – and a little about the cemetery. Well – the two intertwine don’t they? #Obvs
Radnor Street Chapel – August 13 2023 – the occasion of installing the RAFA club propeller in the chapel
Built in 1881, the non-denominational, used for funerals only, Radnor Street Chapel was the design work of popular local architect, W.H. Read. He also designed the long-gone Baptist Tabernacle, the Victoria hospital and the alms houses at Christchurch. Those amongst others. Meanwhile, Messrs Phillips and Powell and George Wiltshire provided the building work in the Gothic revivalist style.
The site does in fact have three buildings. There’s the chapel itself, the caretaker’s lodge at the Radnor Street entrance and a mortuary building.
Gargoyles on Radnor Street ChapelHarold Morley Starr window Grotesques on Radnor Street cemetery
Rescue centre
In recent years, with much thanks to the efforts of the late historian Mark Sutton, the chapel has become a sort of treasure trove of artefacts. Memorials and plaques that no longer have a home elsewhere. Prime examples being the RAFA propellor (see below) and the war memorial from Sanford Street School.
The Sanford Street school war memorial now at Radnor Street cemetery
It’s fitting then that Mark, who established a Remembrance Day service at the chapel before he died, is to get a plaque in his memory. It’ll be installed during this year’s service.
The cemetery
Laid out in 1881, the cemetery was a response to a lack of burial space and a proposed closure of the graveyard at St Mark’s church in the railway village – the first of the so-called railway churches. Within 100 yrs this too was full and closed to new burials.
Swindon is fortunate that a small group of nameless volunteers – as in they’ve not formed themselves into an organisation – are active in the eleven and half-acre cemetery site. Included in their number are Frances Bevan, Graham Carter and Andy Binks of the Swindon Society.
Between them they:
Conduct guided cemetery walks
Find graves for people engaged in family research …
… and care for the 104 Commonwealth war graves plus family memorials with military inscriptions.
There are 33,000 burials in the cemetery, including 104 Commonwealth war graves. Though it’s closed to new burials there are still burials in family graves where there’s room. It’s also an LNR – local nature reserve.
Local nature reserve signage at Radnor street cemetery
Frances Bevan has put together a splendid blog entitled The Airspeed Oxford propeller unveiled. Never one to reinvent the wheel, I’ll share an extract below and suggested you read the rest by following the link you see here.
‘Following the closure of the RAFA Club in Belle Vue Road the propeller mounted on the front of the building faced an uncertain future. Then a group of concerned Swindonians, among them Carole and David Bent, Neil Robinson, Toby Robson and Graham Carter, stepped in to rescue it.’
At Sunday’s event Air Commodore Keeling cut the ribbon. He then led the assembled visitors into the chapel to view the propeller, now mounted above the door. Cemetery volunteer Kevin, a member of the Eyes On Hands On team, gave an informative talk about the history of the Airspeed Oxford to a packed chapel.’
The Airspeed Oxford propeller installed in Radnor Street Chapel
Malmesbury high street art trail kicked off yesterday (12th August) and runs until the Saturday September 16th. The town’s high street is transformed into an art gallery showcasing the talents of local artists.
The Mayor of Malmesbury, Cllr Gavin Grant declared the high street ‘gallery’ open at the Market Cross at 10.30am on Saturday August 12.
Bringing art to the high street
Malmesbury town council, led by Cllr Kim Power, have organised the event. It’s a fun and interesting way of promoting the town, by bringing together shops and local artists.
Former mayor Kim Power, said: ‘Shop windows in the high street become an art gallery for displaying local artists’ work. A map of window locations and artists is available on our website. Or you can pick up a paper copy from the tourist information centre. So, please come to the town and take part in this free art trail, as there’s something for everyone. Please also tell your family and friends to visit and support all those taking part. It’s a fantastic collaboration.’
Helen Chapman runs the Fabric Shack in the high street and has taken part in the arts trail with great enthusiasm:
We’re thrilled to be taking part for the 3rd year running. We love this unusual and interesting way to discover Malmesbury’s talented creators. It’s great to be able to play host as it adds interest to our window displays and helps promote what we offer. It’s our hope it will inspire others to get creative too!’
‘We’ve noticed groups of people doing the tour and often they’ll pop in to see what we’re all about.
‘I’m a huge fan of our artist Jennifer Storer’s work and the picture we’re getting is in our colour scheme. So I’m tempted to get it myself!’
Malmesbury High Street Art Trail – Helen Chapman of the Fabric Shack
Doing the trail
Visitors can choose to browse the shops at their leisure or follow the art trail map. It starts at the town hall and finishes at the market cross, taking in all participating locations.
‘Malmesbury is already a great and historic place, but this is an added attraction. It’ll encourage even more people to visit during the summer. The thirty-two artists taking part are providing a variety of different artwork. The gamut runs from modern and traditional to glasswork, textiles and more. Thus there’s something for all to enjoy. Also, the work is available to buy over a wide price range. For the complete experience, visitors can browse our unique shops and even stay to enjoy a coffee or meal in town.’ Kim said.
Tom Bowerman runs The Wild Food Co. We’re taking part as we love to support local makers and creators. That’s something we already do every day with locally made foods and Malmesbury themed gifts. It’s great to be able to help a local artist get some more exposure using our window space.’
And if you like a piece of work and want to buy it?
‘People who wish to buy an artwork pay for it at the town hall TIC,’ Kim explains. ‘The shop will then release it to them and replace it in the shop window with another piece of artwork from the same artist.’
For each piece of art sold, the shop receives a 20% commission and the artist receives the remaining 80%.
Last year’s gallery proved successful with many participating shops seeing an increase in footfall while the event was running. All of which provided a boost to both businesses and artists in the town.
Cllr Power adds: ‘Malmesbury and nearby villages have a wealth of talented artists. By organising the High St art gallery, we’re giving visitors a free opportunity to appreciate and even buy this fantastic local artwork. Also, it’s another fun reason to visit our historic town centre with its unique shops. Children especially enjoy following the art gallery map and spotting the artwork.’
