Festival will put Bridgnorth on the map

Thousands of people are expected to turn out for the fifth Bridgnorth Music & Arts Festival, with the 10-day event set to kick off later this month.

The popular event, which has this year been renamed to include the arts, runs from August 27 to September 5, will see performances by hundreds of bands and artists at scores of different venues in the area.

Among the biggest draws of the festival will be appearances by Hollywood actress Elizabeth McGovern and internationally renowned crime writer R J Ellory.

Ellory, who hails from the Midlands, will be holding a session at Bridgnorth Library on August 28 from noon.

He has written nine crime novels to date and his fifth, A Quiet Belief in Angels, has sold more than 300,000 copies and is set to be made into a Hollywood film.

Another big draw is set to be a celebrity charity auction being held at The Falcon Hotel on September 3.

It will be hosted by TV antiques expert Philip Serrell, who has appeared in Dickinson's Real Deal and Bargain Hunt.

Celebrity

Hollywood actress Elizabeth McGovern, star of films including the recent remake of Clash of the Titans, will be appearing with her band, Sadie and the Hotheads, with support from the Nelson brothers.

Celebrity lots include various signed items by Hollywood actor and director Kevin Spacey, evergreen comedian Ken Dodd, TV presenters Sir Terry Wogan, Bruce Forsyth and Chris Tarrant and the cast of BBC hit soap EastEnders.

Simon Golding, one of the organisers of the festival, said: "We fully expect this one to be the biggest and best yet. The website has gone mad and we have had inquiries from all over the country.

"The music side of it is very well established and well respected now, but it is very exciting this year as we look to bring the arts into it as well with various authors coming along and other activities.

"Because of that it is a real family event this year, perhaps more so than it has ever been, in that there will quite literally be something for everyone.

"It's going to be a great 10 days and it will be great to put the town of Bridgnorth on the map again."

By Wayne Beese