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As
ever, the Festival, which is run entirely by volunteers, aims to
provide something for everyone in its annul programme.
From
Friday 10th October to Saturday 18th October the evenings will offer
Barry Norman, Maddy Prior and the Girls, Rabbi Lionel Blue, Stacey
Kent and friends and the lesser known, but fascinating, Rebecca
Stephens (the first British woman to climb Everest).
UK鈥檚
favourite TV presenter, the Consumer鈥檚 Champion, founder of the
charity Childline, author and novelist, Esther Rantzen will also
share fascinating stories such as: how the Queen says goodbye; what
the 92 year old footballing granny said to Joan Collins, as well
as the stories behind the talking dog, the inspiration of Ben Hardwick,
the vision of Princess Diana and the launch of ChildLine.
Audiences
are in for an exceptional evening鈥檚 entertainment and the occasional
surprise from one of the UK鈥檚 best loved TV personalities.
鈥淔unny,
yes, moving, yes, and of course there is the surprise of music as
well. I'll be doing songs by Edith Piaf and the Beatles, among others,
each song with a story behind it鈥 Esther Rantzen.
You
can see Esther Rantzen at Bewdley Festival on Friday 17th October.
Linda
Marlowe (darling of the Edinburgh Fringe) in a one woman drama called
鈥楴o Fear!鈥 will also be there, and the 18th Century Concert Orchestra
who play in full costume and by candlelight.
The
final night offers a choice of audience participation: either bop
the night away to local band Tom the Frop, or participate in a performance
of The Pirates of Penzance from Scratch.
In
the afternoons, there are talks on Modern Art, and the National
Gardens Scheme.
Poet
Wendy Cope, and authors Joanne Harris and Ina Taylor, who wrote
about the amazing Macdonald sisters who had links with Bewdley and
who achieved fame through marriage.
The
local link is continued with talks by local people, one on the Wribbenhall
side of Bewdley before the railway came, and the other on a modern
day pilgrimage walk to Santiago de Compestela.
Art
and Fringe
In
addition, there is a schools鈥 Festival church service and an early
evening Songs of Praise.
Running
from 8th to the 25th October is the Festival Art exhibition, 鈥橪andscapes
and Battlefields鈥 - paintings by Robert Perry RBSA who frequently
works on locations of historical significance.
The
artist will give an illustrated talk on these works on the Monday
following the Festival.
Children鈥檚
art work, based this year on photographic and digital imagery, will
be on display at various venues around the town.
This
year鈥檚 Fringe (co-ordinated but not organised by the Festival) will
be following the successes of last year and a wide range of entertainment
will be taking place in pubs and other venues around the town, beginning
on October 4th, before the main Festival and continuing until 18th
October.
Bewdley
Festival organisers are delighted that a Fringe has developed although
it is separate from the main Festival.
"Our
programme aims to appeal to as many people as possible, and the
Fringe extends that appeal," said a Festival spokesman.
"It
also contributes to the festive atmosphere in Bewdley and attracts
more visitors to the town."
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