Cricklade Festival rocks into town (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cricklade Festival rocks into town

THE annual Cricklade town Festival has been getting everyone in the summer party spirit this week with a colourful and lively programme of music and entertainment.

Celebrations kicked off last week and the fun doesn't end until next Friday, June 28.

The event, organised jointly by members of the Cricklade town festival committee, Cricklade town council and North Wiltshire District Council, has been a tradition for nearly 30 years encompassing arts, music and theatre.

In the past the festival has attracted people from all over the world and top pop stars such as Nigel Kennedy and performers including Dame Judi Dench.

The fun continues tonight (Thursday) at 7.30pm with a musical extravaganza at the United Church hall by the pupils from Highworth Warneford School.

And tomorrow a Bierkeller night and evening of Bavarian music presented by 'Men in Shorts' is being held at the Vale of the White Horse Club.

A concert by the Limbach Quartet is also being staged at St Mary's Church at 7.30pm.

And on Saturday the Cricklade Road Race, a highlight in the festival calendar, will be officially started by town crier Clive Smith, outside St Mary's Church in the High Street at 10am.

A summer fete at St Mary's Church with music, crafts and a poster and photography competition is also being held from 10am.

On Saturday night South Wales Abba tribute band Abbalike, will be reliving the 1970s at Cricklade town hall with a string of hits and at St Sampson's Church, the Tudor Singers are performing a concert of renaissance motets, anthems and folk songs.

French illusionist Serge Don Duoa, will be entertaining crowds at the White Hart pub on Sunday, June 23 and Swindon band 'Small Change,' are playing at the Red Lion Inn.

Other highlights of the festival include the St Sampson's Infant School Extravaganza on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 25 and 26 in which pupils are performing a musical play, 'My Place' at the Thames Hall.

And on Thursday and Friday, June 27 and 28 Swindon New College is performing a hard-hitting social drama entitled 'Harold Pinter's Homecoming' at the Red Lion Inn.

Tickets for all the events are on sale at Baileys News, C&R Grocers, the Red Lion Inn and Cricklade Leisure Centre.

Carol Walker, chairwoman of the Cricklade Town Festival Committee, said: "We have tried to appeal to all ages and get as many Cricklade residents and businesses involved as possible.

"We hope to bring the entire community together and it is also a fundraising vehicle for organisations in Cricklade.

"I'd say to people, come along and support a local event as well as experience different types of music."