Wootton Bassett set for best ever arts festival (From Swindon Advertiser)

Wootton Bassett set for best ever arts festival

Creative minds in Wootton Bassett are gearing up for the town’s Arts Festival with a week to go.

There will be 81 classes in subjects including acting, poetry writing and folk singing during the four-day event, which begins on June 4.

Arts festival committee chairman Janet Chaplin said: “The first two festivals, in 2005 and 2007, were small scale and only about music. This year we have music, with entries increased by 700 per cent, speech and drama, and creative writing. We are thrilled with the interest generated and the support received.

“Our aim this year is to have a festival that encourages people of all ages and abilities to prepare for performances and enjoy the process.We are just looking forward to the fun part now.”

On June 5, eight local primary school choirs will take part in an afternoon of singing, with adult choirs in the evening.

Top names will be judging the categories including Jeffrey Wynn Davies who has been involved in workshops for all of the major British choral organisations, Janet Tuckett an Associate of the Guild of Drama Adjudicators and Godfrey Room, a life-long performer with The Western Players.

The festival will culminate in a concert of the most outstanding performances of the festival at the Memorial Hall on Sunday evening.

Events are open to the general public and a day ticket costs £2. Programmes are available from Brian Taylor Music in advance or at St Bartholomew and All Saints Church, The Memorial Hall, The Civic Centre and Noremarsh School.