Music festival in Bledington church (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Music festival in Bledington church

THE fifth St Leonard's Music Festival, which takes place mainly in St Leonard's Church, Bledington from June 7-9, welcomes Catrin Finch, recently star harpist to HRH The Prince of Wales.

She plays music ranging from Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor to Bugs! by Paul Patterson, in the church on Wednesday, June 8.

On June 7, the opening night of the Festival, Philippa Legge (flute), Anna Belward (soprano) and Greg Smith (piano) make a welcome return to Bledington where they performed to a very enthusiastic audience in 2003.

On Thursday, June 9 festival president Thomas Trotter, City of Birmingham organist, and soprano Charlotte Ellett will perform a concert of organ delights, including two movements of Widor's Organ Symphony No 5 which features the famous Toccata, so popular at weddings.

Charlotte will sing Exsultate jubilate by Mozart and other well-known favourites. This concert takes place in the chapel of Kingham Hill School, not far from Bledington.

The St Leonard's Music Festival has two functions - to raise money for the medieval church and to provide a superb musical and social event in a Cotswold village.

A glass of wine and canapes, included in the price of the ticket, will be provided in each interval.

Tickets from Bledington Stores or telephone 01608 658669.