Rock star gives thumbs up to Malmesbury folk festival

Rock legend and Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson has given a ringing endorsement to plans to stage Malmesbury’s first ever folk festival.

Supported by Malmesbury Town Council, the Folk & Roots Festival is being staged on September 23 in Malmesbury Abbey Cloister Gardens and has been timed to tie in with the inaugural European Folk Day. 

Ian Anderson, who has stars in a promotional video for the event, said:

“Malmesbury is a beautiful little town, a very ancient town, with amazing historic connections. It also has the partially ruined Abbey, and the festival is in the grounds. It will be a super event, so do take a trip to Malmesbury and enjoy this folk and roots festival – maybe I’ll see you there!”

Helping to organise the event on behalf of the Town Council is local resident Catherine Burke, who runs the popular Purbeck Valley Folk Festival.

Catherine has booked some great acts, including headliners 3 Daft Monkeys. Other performers include Martha Tilston, Old Baby Mackerel, The Carrivick Sisters and Wiltshire band Fly Yeti Fly. 

During the day Morris dancers will be performing at different places around the town, and there will be food and drink stalls at the festival itself. Burton Hill campsite is offering a discount to festival-goers, and local cafes, shops and restaurants are getting ready for a busy day’s trading.

Mayor, Cllr Gavin Grant, said he was looking forward to welcoming residents and visitors to the festival, which follows hot on the heels of the successful Music in the Cloisters evening, staged as part of Malmesbury Carnival.

“Malmesbury is so strong in live music, it seems only natural for our beautiful town to host a folk music festival in this amazing location. I am delighted that the Town Council are backing the inaugural festival and a group of musicians and festival organisers have come together to make it happen. It is all the more impressive knowing that any festival profits could help my Mayoral good causes’ fund too. I really hope Malmesbury and folk music lovers will really get behind this inaugural festival and make it a great success.” 

Malmesbury Folk & Roots runs from 1.30pm to 10.30pm and tickets are available from https://www.universe.com/events/malmesbury-folk-roots-tickets-H6BL71?ref=universe-discover, for £25 (under 12s are free and must be accompanied by an adult). Tickets can also be bought from Malmesbury Tourist Information Centre and High Street shop Renew.