ACCOMPLISHED performers join a long list of home-grown musicians, poets, artists, photographers and historians for the Winchcombe Festival of Music and Arts.

The seven-day festival, which starts on Monday, May 18, will see the town jumping with jazz, folk, classical, blue grass and rock ‘n’ roll sounds, culminating in a Bank Holiday street fair and party night with the Crescendo Big Band.

Winchcombe’s churches will play host to virtuoso concert violinist Michael Bochmann, cellist Nella Hunkins and a piano and trumpet recital from Marcel Zidani and Paul Wood where Beethoven is given a Cuban twist.

Artists and photographers from around the county will open their studio doors for people to pop in and see their work on the Art Trail.

Wildlife photographer Molly Michelin, stone mason Richard Podd, painter Roger Phillpot and the newly-formed Winchcombe Photographers’ group are exhibiting pieces and Charingworth Court’s owners are inviting visitors to see sculptures situated in their grounds.

The Stanton Guildhouse Trust will be displaying an array of quilting, wood and glass pieces and the famous Winchcombe Pottery will be open.

Poet Anna Saunders joins Derbysire Poet Laureate Matt Black and BBC Breakfast Bard and Cheltenham Poetry Festival Slam champ Peter Wyton for a live literary event entitled Voices.

David Banks, chairman of the festival committee said the community event caters to a broad range of tastes.

“It really shows WInchcombe’s proud community spirit,” he said.

Winchcombe Festival of Music and Arts runs from May 18-25.

For details visit winchcombefestival.co.uk or pick up a brochure from Winchcombe Tourist Information Centre in the town hall.