Popular arts festival to be staged in two parts (From Swindon Advertiser)

Popular arts festival to be staged in two parts

2:30pm Tuesday 12th October 2010 in Local

Wootton Bassett arts festival will be split into two parts next year.

Musical competitions, including jazz, brass, woodwind and modern pop, will take place from June 24 to 26 at the memorial hall and St Bartholomew and All Saints’ Church.

The speech, drama, creative writing and arts performances will be staged over the weekend of November 12 and 13 at Wootton Bassett School.

The festival is usually held over four days in June.

Festival committee chairman Miranda Shirnia said: “I’ve been going round the schools and a lot have said they just can’t face doing it in June because it’s such a hectic time for schools.

“Our aim is to make it possible for as many people as possible to take part. It’s not just for children but many people are away on holiday around June.”

As part of the celebrations, a classical guitar event led by Christopher Stell, a teacher at the Royal College of Music, will be held at the memorial hall on November 28 from 9am to 6pm.

An entry form for the guitar event can be downloaded from www.wbaf.co.uk.